Today I was seen by a nurse practioner for a lump in my low back. Without any kind of diagnostic imaging, she said confidently that it was a lipoma and I should not worry. I was told to watch to see if it grew or changed shape.

I was told that because the lump is soft and movable and non-painful, that I should not worry. She told me that if the mass became harder, larger, or more immovable, that it should be checked out again.

From what I understand, lipomas are easily movable, soft, and nonpainful while liposarcomas are harder and more fixed. I do not know for certain that this is true but was told this by my np.

I have a huge lipoma that is called a 'fatty tumor' on my tailbone area. It is about 4 inches long and I have had it sine age 10, now age 30. I just say my ps and he is removing it with lipo. I am trying this route before I cut it out since it is a long incision to have on the area.

It never caused me problems though, just limited some of my activities, like sit ups on the floor, or laying down on a hard surface, etc.