Physical Characteristics of an Axillary Lipoma
A lipoma in the axilla typically feels like a soft, doughy, mobile mass that is painless and moves easily when touched. 1
Typical Tactile Features
- Soft and rubbery consistency with a characteristic "doughy feel" that distinguishes lipomas from other masses 1
- Mobile and well-circumscribed, moving freely under the skin when palpated 1
- Round or oval shape with smooth borders 1
- Non-tender in most cases, though giant lipomas (>10 cm) can occasionally cause tenderness, pain, or nerve compression symptoms 2, 3
Size Variations
- Most lipomas are small, ranging from less than 1 inch to a few inches in diameter 4
- Giant lipomas are defined as lesions ≥10 cm in diameter or weighing ≥1000 g, though the axillary case reported by Yoo et al. was 21 cm × 12 cm but weighed only 455 g 2, 3
- Axillary lipomas can extend beyond the axilla into adjacent regions like the supraclavicular area 2
Associated Symptoms (When Present)
- Numbness in the upper arm or shoulder tenderness may occur if the lipoma compresses neurovascular structures 2
- Functional limitations such as restricted shoulder movement can develop with larger masses 2
- The axillary location may be prone to developing larger lipomas due to repeated microtrauma from upper extremity movement 3
Important Clinical Distinctions
- Painless presentation is the norm; any rapidly growing, painful, or deep-seated mass should raise concern for atypical lipomatous tumor or liposarcoma 5, 6
- Lipomas feel distinctly different from lymph nodes, which are firmer and less mobile 7
- The soft, mobile nature helps distinguish benign lipomas from malignant masses, which tend to be firm, fixed, and irregular 5