Giant lipoma with an unusual anatomical location successfully managed in a resource-limited setting: a case report

Abstract

Lipomas are benign tumors arising from abnormal proliferation of adipocytes, commonly found in fat-rich regions, though rarely in the head and neck. They usually occur between 40 and 50 years of age, with a slight male predominance. This report presents a 29-year-old male with a giant posterior neck lipoma, emphasizing the need to distinguish it from soft tissue malignancy. The swelling began as a small lump and gradually enlarged to 20 × 25 cm over three years. Initially painless, it later caused cosmetic deformity and psychological distress, leading to social withdrawal and poor self-care. Head and neck lipomas represent a small fraction of cases, and those exceeding 10 cm are classified as giant lipomas. Such large lesions may mimic malignancy, delaying diagnosis. Typically, patients present with a progressive, movable, painless swelling, and delayed presentation is common in resource-limited settings, where accurate differentiation remains vital for proper management.