Adipose tissue

by Jason Wasserman MD PhD FRCPC
May 26, 2022

What is adipose tissue?

Adipose tissue is fat. Normal adipose tissue is found all over our bodies. Large amounts of adipose tissue is found under the skin where it is called subcutaneous adipose tissue. Large amounts of adipose tissue is also found in the abdomen where it covers and protects our internal organs.

What are some common types of tumours made up of adipose tissue?

Some tumours are made up of adipose tissue. Non-cancerous tumours made up of adipose tissue are called lipomas. The most common types of lipoma are spindle cell lipoma, angiolipoma, and intramuscular lipoma.

Cancerous tumours can also be made up of adipose tissue. Cancerous tumours made up of fat are called liposarcomas. The most common type of liposarcoma is a well differentiated liposarcoma. Other types of liposarcoma are dedifferentiated liposarcoma and myxoid liposarcoma.