Clinical presentation, diagnostic approach, and treatment of hand lipomas: a review

Lipomas are the most common soft tissue tumors of mesenchymal origin. They can appear anywhere on the body, and in rare cases they may present on the hands. Lipomas represent approximately 1% to 3.8% of all benign tumors in the hands. Typically, lipomas present in the fifth or sixth decade of life, occurring in both men and women. Lipomas may appear anywhere on the hand, often presenting as painless, slow-growing, and mobile masses. Symptoms may develop if local neurovascular structures are compressed. Differential diagnosis includes liposarcoma and fibrolipomatous hamartoma. To assist with clinical diagnosis, ultrasound, computed tomography, or magnetic resonance imaging may be utilized. The best way to confirm diagnosis is with histopathology. The main treatment for hand lipomas is surgical excision. Postoperative recurrence is rare.