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By Mayo Clinic staffA doctor can make a diagnosis by physical examination of the lump. If there's any doubt, your doctor may do other tests, such as removal of a tissue sample (biopsy) for examination in a laboratory.
There's a very small chance that a lump resembling a lipoma may actually be a form of cancer called liposarcoma. Liposarcomas — cancerous tumors in fatty tissues — grow rapidly, don't move under the skin and are usually painful. A needle biopsy or a CT scan is typically done if your doctor suspects liposarcoma.