Xanthoma
Skin growths - fatty; XanthelasmaXanthoma is a skin condition in which certain fats build up under the surface of the skin.
Causes
Xanthomas are common, especially among older adults and people with high blood lipids (fats). Xanthomas vary in size. Some are very small. Others are bigger than 3 inches (7.5 centimeters) in diameter. They may appear anywhere on the body. But, they are most often seen on the elbows, joints, tendons, knees, hands, feet, or buttocks.
Xanthomas may be a sign of a medical condition that involves an increase in blood lipids. Such conditions include:
- Certain cancers
- Diabetes
Diabetes
Diabetes is a long-term (chronic) disease in which the body cannot regulate the amount of sugar in the blood.
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - High blood cholesterol levels
High blood cholesterol levels
Cholesterol is a fat (also called a lipid) that your body needs to work properly. Too much bad cholesterol in your blood can increase your chance of...
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - Inherited metabolic disorders, such as familial hypercholesterolemia
Familial hypercholesterolemia
Familial hypercholesterolemia is a disorder that is passed down through families. It causes LDL (bad) cholesterol level to be very high. The condit...
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - Scarring of the liver due to blocked bile ducts (primary biliary cirrhosis)
Primary biliary cirrhosis
The bile ducts are tubes that move bile from the liver to the small intestine. Bile is a substance that helps with digestion. All of the bile ducts...
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - Inflammation and swelling of the pancreas (pancreatitis)
Pancreatitis
Acute pancreatitis is sudden swelling and inflammation of the pancreas.
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - Underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism)
Hypothyroidism
Hypothyroidism is a condition in which the thyroid gland does not make enough thyroid hormone. This condition is often called underactive thyroid....
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Xanthelasma palpebra is a common type of xanthoma that appears on the eyelids. It usually occurs without any underlying medical condition.
Symptoms
A xanthoma looks like a yellow to orange bump (papule) with defined borders. There may be several individual ones or they may form clusters.
Exams and Tests
Your health care provider will examine your skin. Usually, a diagnosis can be made by looking at xanthoma. If needed, your provider will remove a sample of the growth for testing (skin biopsy).
Remove a sample of the growth for testi...
A skin lesion biopsy is when a small amount of skin is removed so it can be examined under a microscope. The skin is tested to look for skin conditi...
Read Article Now Book Mark ArticleYou may have blood tests done to check lipid levels, liver function, and for diabetes.
Treatment
If you have a disease that causes increased blood lipids, treating the condition may help reduce the development of xanthomas.
If the growth bothers you, your provider may remove it by surgery or with a laser. However, xanthomas may come back after surgery.
Outlook (Prognosis)
The growth is noncancerous and painless, but it may be a sign of another medical condition.
When to Contact a Medical Professional
Call your provider if xanthomas develop. They may indicate an underlying disorder that needs treatment.
Prevention
To reduce the development of xanthomas, you may need to control your blood triglyceride and cholesterol levels.
Triglyceride
The triglyceride level is a blood test to measure the amount of triglycerides in your blood. Triglycerides are a type of fat. Your body makes some t...
Read Article Now Book Mark ArticleReferences
Dinulos JGH. Cutaneous manifestations of internal disease. In: Dinulos JGH, ed. Habif's Clinical Dermatology. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 26.
Massengale WT. Xanthomas. In: Bolognia JL, Schaffer JV, Cerroni L, eds. Dermatology. 4th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2018:chap 92.
White LE, Horenstein MG, Shea CR. Xanthomas. In: Lebwohl MG, Heymann WR, Coulson IH, Murrell DF, eds. Treatment of Skin Disease: Comprehensive Therapeutic Strategies. 6th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 256.
Xanthoma, eruptive - close-up - illustration
Xanthomas are firm, raised waxy-appearing papules or bumps, which may occur on the truck, arms, and legs, and may be skin-colored, pink, or even yellow. The presence of this type of skin lesion may be associated with abnormal levels of lipids, or fats, in the blood.
Xanthoma, eruptive - close-up
illustration
Xanthoma - close-up - illustration
Xanthomas are lesions on the skin containing cholesterol and fats. They are often associated with inherited disorders of lipid metabolism (inherited problems with the way that fats are broken down and used).
Xanthoma - close-up
illustration
Xanthoma - close-up - illustration
Xanthomas are raised, waxy-appearing, frequently yellowish-colored skin lesions. They may be associated with an underlying lipid (cholesterol/triglyceride) abnormality.
Xanthoma - close-up
illustration
Xanthoma on the knee - illustration
Xanthomas are raised, waxy-appearing, frequently yellowish-colored skin lesions, seen here on the knee. These may be associated with an underlying lipid (cholesterol/triglyceride) abnormality.
Xanthoma on the knee
illustration
Xanthoma, eruptive - close-up - illustration
Xanthomas are firm, raised waxy-appearing papules or bumps, which may occur on the truck, arms, and legs, and may be skin-colored, pink, or even yellow. The presence of this type of skin lesion may be associated with abnormal levels of lipids, or fats, in the blood.
Xanthoma, eruptive - close-up
illustration
Xanthoma - close-up - illustration
Xanthomas are lesions on the skin containing cholesterol and fats. They are often associated with inherited disorders of lipid metabolism (inherited problems with the way that fats are broken down and used).
Xanthoma - close-up
illustration
Xanthoma - close-up - illustration
Xanthomas are raised, waxy-appearing, frequently yellowish-colored skin lesions. They may be associated with an underlying lipid (cholesterol/triglyceride) abnormality.
Xanthoma - close-up
illustration
Xanthoma on the knee - illustration
Xanthomas are raised, waxy-appearing, frequently yellowish-colored skin lesions, seen here on the knee. These may be associated with an underlying lipid (cholesterol/triglyceride) abnormality.
Xanthoma on the knee
illustration
Review Date: 5/31/2023
Reviewed By: Ramin Fathi, MD, FAAD, Director, Phoenix Surgical Dermatology Group, Phoenix, AZ. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.