Giant lipoma of the breast

Abstract

Lipomas are benign mesenchymal tumors that develop in areas of abundant adipose tissue. Due to the fatty composition of the breast, difficulties in diagnosis, treatment, and reconstruction are often encountered. We report a case of a 55-year-old female with a giant tumor of the right breast that comprised most of its mass, causing breast asymmetry. A thorough preoperative evaluation, followed by an uneventful difficult surgical resection and reconstruction, resulted in diagnosis of a benign lipoma. The case prompted this report because of its challenging size, location, diagnosis, and reconstructive solution. © 2013 The Korean Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons.