A member asked:

I have a possible deep lipoma on lower back near spine. it is palpable, but it did not show up on an ultrasound. is it safe to say it isn't cancerous?

10 doctors weighed in across 2 answers

Lipoma: Lipomas are benign growths of fat under the skin. They do not spread like cancer. They can enlarge over time, and will sometimes cause discomfort if they become large. They can generally be removed with a simple operation.

Answered 7/15/2015

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No: An ultrasound can not differentiate the fat that makes up a lipoma from the surrounding fatty tissues under the skin and will not definitively be able to differentiate a cancer from a non-cancer. If the lump is hurting then have it removed and it should be sent for pathological analysis. That will tell you if it is a cancer (Malignancy) or not. A true lipoma is not typically dangerous.

Answered 3/15/2015

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