Re: Lipoma of corpus callosum

Posted By CCF NERUOSURGERY MD on September 22, 1997 at 13:58:31:

In Reply to: Lipoma of corpus callosum posted by A Brown, RN on September 20, 1997 at 21:11:52:







: A friend has been diagnosed with a lipoma of the corpus callosum by MRI and has seen a Neurosurgeon who told her that no treatment is required at this time.  She is experiencing frequent headaches, blurred vision, loss of motor activity of one side and ear pain; these symptoms are intermittent however she has been placed off work.  Her concern is letting the tumor go without treatment.
1.  How common is the "wait and see" approach with this type of tumor?
2.  Is surgery a viable treatment considering its location or is a permanent shunt sufficient to alleviate the increased intracranial pressure that occurs with a shifting or occlusion of the flow of CSF?
3.  Is radiation an alternative for shrinking the tumor?
Any advice or assistance is greatly appreciated.
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Dear Nurse Brown,
Lipomas are benign fatty growths that can be found virtually anywhere in
the body.  They generally do not change much in size over time.  If they are
not causing a problem they will usually be left alone.
A lipoma specifically in the corpus callosum may or may not be a problem.
It could conceivably cause hydrocephalus depending on the size and location
in the corpus callosum.  Furthermore, if large, it may cause a deficit
simply via mass effect.  The MRI would be instrumental for this evaluation.
The issue is whether the tumor is causing the symptoms your friend has been
having.  The neurosurgeon should be able to explain this to you.  
In summary, lipomas do not necessarily need to be treated.  Only when they
cause problems referable to their size and location do lipomas require
intervention.  Your neurosurgeon should be able to help you in this regard.
Good luck.