Abstract

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to present a case series comprising giant cervical lipomas with a review of the literature.

METHODS: Of a total of seven patients (4 males, 3 females; mean age 47.4 years; range, 17 to 71 years) operated for giant cervical lipoma in our clinic, age and sex as well as tumor’s duration of presence, size, location, and radiological and histopathological findings were recorded. Also, the literature was reviewed for case reports and case series written in English concerning giant cervical lipomas. The terms “giant cervical lipoma” and “giant neck lipoma” were used in PubMed database search.

RESULTS: The main complaint of the patients was a large and painless mass in the neck. In all patients, the mass was removed with total surgical excision without any serious complication and no recurrences were observed in the regular follow-ups. In the literature review, 21 giant cervical lipoma patients were detected in 14 well-documented studies published between January 1973 and June 2017.

CONCLUSION: Since lipomas usually behave as slow growing, painless and asymptomatic masses, their treatment may be neglected by some patients, causing the masses to reach giant sizes. Management of giant cervical lipomas may be performed without any serious complication with proper preoperative evaluation and meticulous surgical dissection.