Hi there. I'm happy to answer your question. Are you still online?

I am an Orthopedic Surgeon and would like to help answer your questions. Please understand that the information that I provide is for educational and informational purposes and is not treatment or meant to substitute for being treated by a live physician. I get online once a day and therefore please bear with me if you post and I haven't responded yet. I will in due time. Please do not accept until you have had your question answered in a satisfactory fashion.

When you say in the middle of your back/spine, how close to the surface is it? How large is it?

How do you know it is a lipoma? Did you have an MRI? Did they ever do a needle biopsy of it?

Lipomas are benign fatty tumors that are usually detectable on physical exam. However an MRI would show classic features of a lipoma. A definitive diagnosis could only be made by a biopsy of the tissue.

The one thing is that there is a tumor very similar to lipoma called a liposarcoma.

A liposarcoma is an aggressive lipoma that needs to be removed because it can grow very large and spread. However the features on MRI are different. Once again a tissue sample would be needed to confirm liposarcoma.

Liposarcomas grow rapidly and are usually much larger than a 50 cent piece.

So it is probably a lipoma but I haven't examined you or seen an MRI of it so cannot say.

Did they do an MRI?

OK well usually the biopsy of a small lipoma is called an excisional biopsy meaning that they take the whole thing out and then look at it under a microscope to define if it really is a lipoma. So a biopsy is essentially removal of it.

Best plan would be to go see another doctor since your current one is not available.

I hope I have answered your question in a satisfactory manner. If I have not, please let me know what additional information I can provide. Thanks.

Great. Good luck.