Lipomas are benign growths arising from adipose tissue and constitute the most frequently encountered type of mesenchymal soft-tissue tumor. Although lipomas may develop in different parts of the body, they are most commonly found in the subcutaneous tissue of the trunk, neck, and extremities. Lipomas measuring more than 10 cm are termed “giant lipoma,” which are relatively uncommon, especially in regions such as the axilla. In these situations, ultrasonography, cytology, and computed tomography are commonly used to assess giant axillary masses. This report presents a rare case of a giant axillary lipoma in a 40–50-year-old man, manifesting as a slowly enlarging swelling in the right axilla, first observed when he was 14 years old. The lipoma showed significant growth in the past year and was associated with a small ulcer at the base. Surgical excision under general anesthesia was performed, and a histopathological examination confirmed the diagnosis. The patient had an uneventful postoperative recovery. Lipomas are rarely seen in the axilla, and when a large tumor presents in that region, the potential for malignancy, such as liposarcoma, must always be considered. A thorough clinical and imaging workup is essential to rule out malignancy before planning treatment. The preferred management of giant axillary lipomas is complete surgical excision, especially due to the presence of a well-defined pseudo-capsule. Giant axillary lipomas, although rare in clinical practice, and can be effectively treated with this careful surgical approach which minimizes the risk of recurrence and leads to excellent patient outcomes.
Khan et al. (Thu,) studied this question.