Fat tumors in children: What you need to know

Many parents worry when their baby develops small, soft and mobile lumps called lipomas. If it is a benign lipoma, the family does not need to worry too much, but still need to be taken to a doctor to accurately diagnose is it malignant lipoma?

Lipoma is a condition in which the fat layer gradually accumulates but is located just below the skin, appearing common in all ages. Lipomas are located in different locations in the body, most often in the peripheral areas such as subcutaneous tissues, and can be found in most organs in the body such as liver, kidney, lung, intestine... Some lipomas are benign. Tumors vary in size, ranging from a few centimeters or as large as several kilograms. It can move when pressed and has no color whatsoever.
Usually, a benign lipoma will not pose a threat to the child's health. The baby will still grow normally, feed and sleep well. At the same time, there were no signs of fussiness or fever. In the mediastinum, lipomas are rare, occurring in less than or equal to 1% of cases.

When the baby appears lipoma, parents need to take the child to the hospital for a thorough examination and diagnosis. If it is a benign lipoma, just follow up. However, if the tumor is showing signs of getting bigger and bigger, surgery must be repeated.
In many cases, children have malignant tumors. especially in the mediastinum. Usually located in the anterior superior mediastinum or the mediastinum, lipomas are usually solitary and benign. But there are also cases of malignancy. When the tumor grows, it will put pressure on the lungs and heart, push the heart to the opposite side, or compress the superior vena cava, aorta, pulmonary artery and invade the posterior mediastinum, possibly pushing the collapse. lungs on one or both sides, making it difficult for the child to breathe. Even mediastinal tumor can spread to the spine, myelitis sequelae of paralysis of the lower legs.

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