Lipoma vs Lipoma

How to tell the difference — key features compared side by side.

Feature
Lipoma
Lipoma
Category
Benign
Benign
Key feature
Soft, rubbery fatty lump under the skin. The most common soft tissue tumor - almost always harmless.
Soft, rubbery fatty lump under the skin. The most common soft tissue tumor - almost always harmless.
Risk factors
Age 40-60 (most common age at presentation); Genetic predisposition (can run in families); Obesity does not cause lipomas despite both involving fat
Age 40-60 (most common age at presentation); Genetic predisposition (can run in families); Obesity does not cause lipomas despite both involving fat
Action needed
A lump that is hard, firm, or fixed rather than soft and mobile
A lump that is hard, firm, or fixed rather than soft and mobile

Lipoma

A lipoma is a slow-growing, soft, rubbery, movable lump located just beneath the skin, composed of mature fat cells enclosed in a thin fibrous capsule. Lipomas are the most common soft tissue tumor, affecting approximately 1 in 1,000 people.

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Lipoma

A lipoma is a slow-growing, soft, rubbery, movable lump located just beneath the skin, composed of mature fat cells enclosed in a thin fibrous capsule. Lipomas are the most common soft tissue tumor, affecting approximately 1 in 1,000 people.

Read full guide →

Does yours look more like lipoma?

Quick self-check

Does this look like lipoma? Answer 2 questions.

Is the lump soft, rubbery, and moves easily when pushed?

Has it been growing slowly or stayed the same size?

Still not sure?

Our full ABCDE checker evaluates 5 clinical criteria dermatologists use.

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