large lipoma?

[sueseamtress]

I have a larged soft mass on my left leg just below and to the right of the knee . It measures 16cm x 18 cm it makes 1 inch bigger than the other leg. This mass developed last  Monday July 25. On Friday July 30 the Nurse Practioner said it was a lipoma and just to watch that it does not get bigger. Don't lipomas form very slowly? Is this something I have to worry about?

Thanks for any info  

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
From the symptoms it can be due to lipoma. It is a benign fatty tumor. However if it becomes painful, then erythema nodosum needs to be evaluated. It results in reddish, painful, tender lumps most commonly located in the front of the legs below the knees.

Diagnosis is by physical examination and biopsy of the lesion. Other lab investigations like complete blood count, ESR,ASO titer, urinalysis, throat culture, intradermal tuberculin test, and chest x-ray may also be done.
I hope it helps. Take care and regards.

[allmymarbles]

I get lipomas. Suddenly I notice a new one and am not sure when it started. Once it is formed, however, it seems to grow to a certain size and then stop. They are not dangerous, just unsightly.