The plural form of "lipoma", a benign growth of fat cells, is spelled as "lipomas". The word is pronounced as /lɪˈpoʊməz/, where the stress falls on the second syllable "po". The "li" sound is pronounced as "li" in "lift", while the "po" sound is pronounced as "po" in "pope". The "m" sound is pronounced as in "man", and the final "s" sound, silent in the singular form, is pronounced as "z" in "zip".
Lipomas are benign tumors or growths that develop in the adipose tissue, which is the fatty tissue beneath the skin. These growths are composed of fat cells and typically appear as soft, rubbery lumps under the skin. Lipomas are usually painless and can occur in various parts of the body, but are commonly found on the neck, shoulders, back, abdomen, and arms.
These growths are relatively common, often affecting middle-aged individuals, although they can develop in people of all ages. The exact cause of lipomas is unknown, but they may be hereditary and more likely to occur in individuals with certain medical conditions, such as adiposis dolorosa or Gardner syndrome.
Typically, lipomas don't require treatment unless they cause noticeable discomfort, cosmetically bother the individual, or interfere with movement. In such cases, surgical removal or liposuction may be pursued for cosmetic or medical reasons. Lipomas may occasionally grow or become painful, warranting medical attention to rule out any concerning signs of malignancy.
In summary, lipomas are non-cancerous growths composed of adipose tissue that form underneath the skin. They are usually harmless and asymptomatic, but in some instances may necessitate medical intervention for removal or monitoring.
The word lipoma is derived from two Greek words: lípos meaning fat and oma meaning tumor. Therefore, lipomas essentially means fat tumors or tumors composed of fat.