Large Lipoma - Worried

[WhoooshFlooosh]

My DS is in his 20s & has a large Lipoma on his neck/back of head. The area it covers on his neck is from below his ear to his spine to 3/4 up his skull.

How can a GP know for sure it isn't malignant without a biopsy or ultrasound?
Is it safe to remove?
Can this op be done on the NHS?
Is it safe to leave?
Will it continue to grow?

DS is by nature happy go lucky & laid back. All he has said is that the GP says it's a Lipoma & he could have it removed. I don't want to worry him by firing 20 questions at him.

Any advice would be much appreciated.

Hello. I'm certainly not an expert but I can tell you what happened with mine. It was on my back and quite large and uncomfortable, though not as large as your son's.

The GP sent me to a minor ops unit and they referred me to a consultant - the reasons were that it was too large to be removed by the minor ops people, and that it was fast-growing.

I had an MRI, and before that the docs also checked my lymph glands and general health. The lipoma was removed under GA. It was then sent for testing but they were pretty sure after the MRI that it was benign.

I think the key concern that triggered the MRI and so forth was the speed at which it had grown - that was what made them think that there was a possibility that it was not benign.

They also did the MRI so that they could check depth, positioning and any other issues to inform the surgery.

The NHS looked after me very well.

Thanks Awkward for that info. hope you are OK

Yes, absolutely fine, healed quickly and well! It's certainly worth your son investigating removal, so if I was him I'd accept the GP's referral.