Fat on the back
A benign fatty tumor, or lipoma, quite often occurs on the back, since this part of the human body is relatively poor in its own fat deposits. Most wen on the back do not cause anxiety and discomfort to their owner, since this formation is usually painless and does not undergo malignancy (transformation into a malignant tumor). However, lipomas on the back can grow large over time, provoke discomfort when wearing clothes, and become a serious cosmetic defect. Therefore, when the first signs of a wen appear on the back, it is recommended to visit the office of a dermatologist or surgeon.
Content:
- Reasons for the appearance of a wen on the back
- Symptoms of a wen on the back
- Is a fatty tumor on the back dangerous?
- Diagnostics
- Treatment of a wen on the back
- Surgical removal of a wen on the back
Reasons for the appearance of a wen on the back
The exact cause of the appearance of wen on the human body is still unknown.
There are several prerequisites that directly affect the formation of a fatty tumor:
- Genetic predisposition - mutation of a gene responsible for lipid cleavage;
- Hormonal failure - during menopause, pregnancy and puberty, there is often an imbalance in metabolic processes, including fat metabolism;
- Pathology of the hypothalamus and other endocrine glands;
- Diseases of the central nervous system, traumatic brain injury;
- Low level of physical activity;
- Overweight, dietary disturbances, predominance of fats and "fast" carbohydrates in it;
- Environmental problems and bad habits.
Symptoms of a wen on the back
At the very beginning of its development, a fatty tumor does not cause unpleasant sensations, so it can be detected quite late.
Signs of a wen on the back:
- Palpation reveals a soft, painless, rounded formation, not adhered to the skin;
- It has clear boundaries and can move slightly when pressed;
- As the tumor grows and its pressure on the muscles, blood vessels and nerve endings, pain appears;
- Friction with clothing, active movement of the back muscles can cause discomfort;
- The skin over the wen in the absence of inflammation does not change color and easily folds.
You should not try to get rid of the tumor on your back on your own; sepsis and other serious complications may occur. In addition, a layman cannot distinguish a wen from an atheroma (cysts of the sebaceous gland) and other, much more serious skin neoplasms.
Is a fatty tumor on the back dangerous?
Fat on the back can be the cause of the inflammatory process. In this case, swelling appears, the skin turns red, pain and burning are felt at the site of the tumor. After spontaneous opening of the wen, a purulent exudate of a green and yellow hue is released from it.
To treat an abscess, you should consult a surgeon to avoid the development of sepsis.
After examining the formation on the back, the doctor prescribes the following studies:
- Cytological analysis of the wen contents to exclude atypical cells;
- General blood analysis;
- Blood chemistry.
If the risk of developing a malignant tumor (liposarcoma) is confirmed, the doctor refers the patient to an oncologist for an in-depth study.
Benign education can grow to impressive sizes, reaching a diameter of 10 centimeters or more. This property of wen can bring not only aesthetic, but also physical discomfort.
Diagnostics
To clarify the diagnosis, the doctor conducts instrumental studies:
- Ultrasound;
- X-ray of the area of localization of the wen;
- CT (computed tomography).
Wen is most often formed in the neck or upper back. On examination, the doctor discovers a soft and elastic oval or spherical protrusion. Several wen can connect to each other, and multiple lipomatosis is also found. Palpation of a fatty tumor by a specialist most often does not cause pain if the wen has not grown deep into the muscle tissue and does not affect the nerve endings.
Treatment of a wen on the back
The decision to remove the fatty tumor on the back is made by the doctor based on the research results. It is not recommended to remove small formations if they do not grow and are not located where they are exposed to mechanical stress.
Small wen, which does not cause pain and discomfort, can be tried to be reduced by introducing the hormonal preparation Diprospan into the capsule. On average, 0.2 mm / cm 2 is administered, the total dose per week of treatment is no more than 1 ml. Diprospan breaks down fat cells, helps to reduce tumor volume.
Pain during injections is zero, treatment lasts 2-3 months.
In case of overdose, side effects may occur:
- Insomnia,
- Depression,
- Increase in body weight
- Digestive disorders
- Delayed growth and development in children,
- Exacerbation of diabetes mellitus,
- Swelling of the extremities
- Decreased bone density.
Diprospan is contraindicated in diseases of the kidneys, circulatory system, HIV infection, stomach ulcers, liver failure. It is not used during pregnancy and lactation.
Surgical removal of a wen on the back
Surgery to remove the wen on the back is not used in all patients.
Indications for removal:
- Rapid growth of a fatty tumor, more than 3 cm in diameter;
- Pain when pressed and at rest;
- Discomfort and trauma when wearing clothes;
- Pronounced cosmetic defect;
- Disruption of the functioning of vital organs as a result of the growth of a wen;
- The risk of transformation into a malignant tumor.
A small fat located on the back is removed at an outpatient appointment, in the treatment room of a surgeon or dermatologist. A mass that has a large volume is removed in a hospital, sometimes with the use of general anesthesia.
Methods for removing a fatty tumor on the back:
- Classic operation - carried out in the following sequence: making an incision, squeezing out the capsule, scraping and suturing the wound, doctor's observation for 2 weeks;
- Endoscopic surgery - in order to avoid noticeable scars, after removing a large wen on the back, it can be cut out under the control of an endoscope and removed through a tiny incision made next to the tumor;
- Puncture-aspiration removal of fat cells - through a puncture, the contents are sucked out from the cavity of the wen, but there is a high probability of relapse, since the capsule remains under the skin;
- Electrocoagulation and cryodestruction - with the help of a high frequency current or liquid nitrogen vapor, the tissue of the wen is burned out, the technique is suitable for small tumors, does not leave scars on the skin, the healing of the operating wound occurs in 10 days;
- Laser and radio wave surgery - with the help of a narrowly directed laser beam or a radio knife, the capsule of a wen is exfoliated, leaving no marks on the skin and scars. These highly effective methods prevent recurrence, but the operation is expensive.
After removal of the formation, a histological examination of its tissues is carried out to exclude the presence of atypical cells. The postoperative wound should be treated with antiseptic and anti-inflammatory drugs as prescribed by the doctor. Most often, Levomekol and Tetracycline ointment are used, which are applied several times a day to the wound surface, covering with a sterile bandage or napkin.
To prevent the appearance of a new wen on the back, you need to properly care for the skin, observing hygienic rules, avoid the inclusion of excessive amounts of fat and baking, preservatives in the diet. Timely removal of the tumor on the back and its accurate diagnosis will help prevent the development of complications.
The author of the article: Volkov Dmitry Sergeevich | c. m. n. surgeon, phlebologist
Education: Moscow State University of Medicine and Dentistry (1996). In 2003, he received a diploma from the Educational and Scientific Medical Center of the Presidential Administration of the Russian Federation.
