What is the Difference Between Xanthoma and Lipoma

The key difference between xanthoma and lipoma is that xanthoma is an irregular yellow nodule on the skin caused by the deposition of lipids, while lipoma is a  benign fatty lump often located between the skin and the underlying muscle layer.

Skin lumps are any abnormal growths or bumps on or under the skin. These lumps are often harmless. Xanthoma and lipoma are two types of abnormal fat accumulation in the skin. They are different conditions with different aetiologies. Xanthoma is a small yellow nodule in the skin, often near a joint, that comprises cholesterol and other lipids, whereas lipoma is a benign tumor comprising fat cells.

CONTENTS

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

What is Xanthoma?

Xanthoma is a small, yellow, fatty growth underneath the skin. It can typically develop in areas such as joints, feet, hands, and buttocks. High levels of blood lipids or fats cause xanthoma. It can be a symptom of underlying conditions such as hyperlipidemia, diabetes, hypothyroidism, primary biliary cirrhosis, cholestasis, nephrotic syndrome, hematologic disease, cancer, and side effects of certain medications like tamoxifen and prednisone. People with high cholesterol or triglyceride levels are more likely to develop xanthoma. Moreover, the symptoms of this condition may include bumps in the skin of different areas of the body, bumps that do not have a uniform shape and size, bumps that are reddish to yellowish, and bumps that may be itchy or tender to the touch.

Xanthoma can be diagnosed through physical examinations, skin biopsy, and blood tests. Furthermore, treatment options for xanthoma may include managing the underlying condition, surgical removal, laser surgery, or chemical therapy with trichloroacetic acid.

What is Lipoma?

Lipoma is a slow-growing, benign, fatty lump often located between the skin and the underlying muscle layer. Lipoma commonly grows in the neck, chest, back, shoulders, arms, and thighs. Moreover, the symptoms of this condition may include fatty lumps that are soft and doughy to the touch and lumps that are small in size (typically less than 2 inches in diameter), which can occasionally cause pain when pressing on nearby nerves. The risk factors for this condition include being between 40 and 60 years old and genetics (runs in families).

Lipoma can be diagnosed through family history, physical examination, skin biopsy, an X-ray, or other imaging test, such as an MRI or CT scan. Furthermore, lipoma is treated by surgical removal and liposuction.

What are the Similarities Between Xanthoma and Lipoma?

• Xanthoma and lipoma are two conditions due to abnormal fat accumulation in the skin.
• They are not life-threatening conditions.
• Both conditions may have similar symptoms, such as small lumps in the skin and pain.
• Both conditions can be diagnosed through physical examinations and skin biopsy.
• They can be treated through simple surgeries.

What is the Difference Between Xanthoma and Lipoma?

Xanthoma is an irregular yellow nodule on the skin caused by the deposition of lipids, while lipoma is a  benign fatty lump that is often located between the skin and the underlying muscle layer. Thus, this is the key difference between xanthoma and lipoma. Furthermore, xanthoma can occur in areas such as joints, feet, hands, and buttocks in the body. On the other hand, lipoma can occur in areas such as the neck, chest, back, shoulders, arms, and thighs in the body.

The infographic below presents the differences between xanthoma and lipoma in tabular form for side-by-side comparison.

Summary – Xanthoma vs. Lipoma

Xanthoma and lipoma are two conditions due to abnormal fat accumulation or fatty growths in the skin. Xanthoma is an irregular yellow nodule or plaque on the skin that is caused by the deposition of lipids, while lipoma is a non-malignant or benign fatty lump that is often located between the skin and the underlying muscle layer. So, this summarizes the difference between xanthoma and lipoma.

Reference:

1. “Xanthoma.” StatPearls – NCBI Bookshelf.
2. “Lipoma: What Is It, Causes, Symptoms, Types, Treatment.” Cleveland Clinic.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Xanthoma” By Min.neel – Own work (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “CTS late stage with Lipoma” By Davplast – Own work (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia