What is the Difference Between Lipoma and Lymphoma

Lipoma and lymphoma are two conditions characterized by having lumps under the skin. Although both are painless lumps, there is a distinct difference between lipoma and lymphoma.

The key difference between lipoma and lymphoma is their nature. Lipoma is a lump of fatty tissue that grows under the skin while lymphoma is a cancer that begins in the lymphocytes of the immune system.

CONTENTS

1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Lipoma 
3. What is Lymphoma
4. Similarities – Lipoma and Lymphoma
5. Lipoma vs Lymphoma in Tabular Form
6. Summary – Lipoma vs Lymphoma
7. FAQ – Lipoma and Lymphoma

What is Lipoma?

A lipoma is a round or oval-shaped lump of fatty tissue that grows just under the skin. Lipoma is very common, as about 1 of every 1,000 people has a lipoma. Lipoma is inherited and can be caused by different conditions such as Dercum’s disease, Gardner syndrome, hereditary multiple lipomatosis, and Madelung’s disease. Lipomas are usually encapsulated, painless, round or oval-shaped, movable, and smaller than 2 inches in diameter.

Lipomas can be diagnosed through physical examination, skin biopsy, ultrasound, MRI, and CT scan. Furthermore, treatment options for lipoma may include lipoma surgery and liposuction.

What is Lymphoma?

Lymphoma is a cancer in the infection-fighting cells of the immune system known as lymphocytes in lymph nodes, spleen, thymus, bone marrow, and other parts of the body. There are two main lymphoma types, non-Hodgkin and Hodgkin, which involve different types of lymphocyte cells. The signs and symptoms of lymphoma may include swollen glands often in the neck, armpit, or groin that are painless, cough, shortness of breath, fever, night sweats, fatigue, weight loss, and itching. Lymphomas can be caused by a weakened immune system, taking medicine that suppresses the immune system, some infections, including Epstein-Barr virus or HIV infection, family history, and being exposed to radiation or toxins.

Lymphomas can be diagnosed through family history, physical examination, biopsy, bone marrow aspiration, chest X-ray, MRI, PET scan, blood test, and molecular test. Furthermore, lymphoma is treated through chemotherapy, radiation therapy, immunotherapy, targeted therapy, and stem cell transplant.

Similarities Between Lipoma and Lymphoma

• Both lipoma and lymphoma are characterized by lumps under the skin.
• Both are painless.
• Both these conditions can be diagnosed through physical examination, blood test, and imaging testing.
• They can be treated through specific surgeries.

Difference Between Lipoma and Lymphoma

Definition

1. Lipoma is a round or oval-shaped lump of fatty tissue that grows just under the skin.
2. Lymphoma is a cancer that forms in the infection-fighting cells of the immune system called lymphocytes.

Commonness

1. Lipoma is more common.
2. Lymphoma is less common.

 Causes

1. Lipoma is inherited, and it can be caused by different conditions, such as Dercum’s disease, Gardner syndrome, hereditary multiple lipomatosis, and Madelung’s disease.
2. Lymphoma is caused by a weakened immune system, taking medicine that suppresses the immune system, some infections, including Epstein-Barr virus or HIV infection, family history, and being exposed to radiation or toxins.

Signs and Symptoms

1. Lipomas are usually encapsulated, painless, round or oval-shaped, moveable, and smaller than 2 inches in diameter.
2. Signs and symptoms of lymphoma include swollen glands often in the neck, armpit, or groin that are painless, cough, shortness of breath, fever, night sweats, fatigue, weight loss, and itching.

Diagnosis

1. Lipomas can be diagnosed through physical examination, skin biopsy, ultrasound, MRI, and CT scan.
2. Lymphoma can be diagnosed through family history, physical examination, biopsy, bone marrow aspiration, chest X-ray, MRI, PET scan, blood test, and molecular test.

The following table summarizes the difference between lipoma and lymphoma.

Summary – Lipoma vs Lymphoma

Both lipoma and lymphoma involve lumps under the skin. However, lipoma is benign or noncancerous, while lymphoma is cancerous. Moreover, lipoma is a round or oval-shaped lump of fatty tissue that grows just under the skin, whereas Lymphoma is a cancer that forms in the infection-fighting cells of the immune system called lymphocytes. This is the summary of the difference between lipoma and lymphoma.

FAQ: Lipoma and Lymphoma

1. What is the main cause of lipoma?

• The exact cause of lipomas is often unknown, but it is inherited, and it can be caused by different conditions such as Dercum’s disease, Gardner syndrome, hereditary multiple lipomatosis, and Madelung’s disease.

2. Should lipomas be removed?

• Treatment is generally not necessary for a lipoma. However, if the lipoma becomes worrisome, is painful or is growing in size, the doctor may recommend surgical removal of the lipoma or liposuction.

3. Is lymphoma a serious cancer?

• The severity depends on the type of lymphoma. This is because non-Hodgkin lymphoma may make the body more vulnerable to life-threatening infections, other kinds of cancers, or heart disease. About 3 in 100,000 people worldwide die of some type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. When it comes to Hodgkin lymphoma, 8 out of 10 people live at least 5 years, and most of these can be cured.

4. What are common symptoms of lymphoma?

• In lymphoma’s earliest stages, patients often show itchy, inflamed skin or unexplained rashes. More advanced stages, where patients have large tumors, involve weight loss, fevers, night sweats, and fatigue. Some also experience painful muscle aches after drinking alcohol.

5. Can lymphoma be cured?

• Lymphoma is treated through chemotherapy, radiation therapy, immunotherapy, targeted therapy and stem cell transplant. However, people with Hodgkin lymphoma have better survival than people with Non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

Reference:

1. Tumuluri, K, et al. “Eyelid Lymphoma in a Patient with Multiple Lipomatosis.” Nature News, Nature Publishing.
2. “Lymphoma.” Cancer Research UK, 13 Oct. 2023.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Cutaneous T-cell lymphoma – high mag” By Nephron – Own work (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia

2. “LARGEST LIPOMA OF SHOULDER” By Dr.Ashish bhanot –  (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia