Introduction

Lipoma¹ is a relatively common hamartoma (benign, focal malformation of normal tissue) of fatty subcutaneous tissue.

Epidemiology

Unknown.

Etiology

Fat cells with the same morphology as normal fat cells cluster within a connective tissue framework.²

Symptoms and clinical features

The patient notices a mass in the vulva that has grown in size but is usually asymptomatic.

On the labium major, there is a soft, sessile, or pedunculated mass varying in size from 1 cm to several centimeters in diameter.

Very large lesions may be ulcerated.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis is clinical and confirmed by biopsy if necessary.

Pathology/Laboratory Findings

On biopsy, mature adipose tissue with a thin fibrous capsule is found.³

Differential diagnosis

Differential diagnosis includes hemangioma, fibroma, and Bartholin’s cyst.

Treatment

Excision of the mass is necessary if it is symptomatic.

1. Fisher BK, Margesson, LJ. Genital Skin Disorders: Diagnosis and Treatment. Mosby, Inc. 1998. 204.
2. Wolff K and Johnson RA. Fitzpatrick’s Color Atlas & Synopsis of Clinical Dermatology, sixth edition. 2009, New York. McGraw Hill Medical. 224.
3. Heller DS, Wallach RC, ed. Vulvar disease; a clinicopathological approach. Informa Healthcare. 2007. 156.