Transverse Colon Lipoma Causing Intermittent Bowel Obstruction | Dr. Daniel Gould

Dr. Daniel Gould co-authored this case report published in Gastroenterology & Hepatology, examining a rare case of a large lipoma of the transverse colon that caused intermittent bowel obstruction.

Lipomas are benign tumors composed of fatty tissue and can occur throughout the gastrointestinal tract. Colonic lipomas are relatively uncommon and are often discovered incidentally during imaging, colonoscopy, surgery, or other examinations because smaller lesions typically produce few or no symptoms.

The report describes a 58-year-old woman who presented with abdominal pain, intermittent bloating, nausea, and rectal bleeding. Colonoscopy revealed a large mass occupying more than half of the bowel lumen, while imaging demonstrated intussusception involving the transverse colon.

Because the size and appearance of the mass made it difficult to confidently rule out malignancy, the patient underwent surgical removal of the affected portion of the colon. Pathological examination ultimately confirmed that the mass was a benign submucosal lipoma.

The authors discuss the challenges involved in diagnosing large colonic lipomas, particularly when their appearance and symptoms can resemble malignant disease. They highlight factors such as tumor size, symptoms, intussusception, and diagnostic uncertainty when determining whether surgical or endoscopic treatment is most appropriate.

The case reinforces the importance of careful evaluation of large symptomatic gastrointestinal lesions and illustrates how surgical intervention can provide both definitive diagnosis and treatment when malignancy cannot be reliably excluded.