Giant Lipoma of Transverse Colon Presenting With Partial Obstruction of Intestine

Colonic lipomas (CLs) are a rare benign neoplasm of the gastrointestinal tract and the second most common tumor of the colon after adenomatous polyps. The clinical presentation of lipomas depends on the size of the tumor. Lesions that are less than 2 cm are mostly asymptomatic and are incidental findings during procedures like colonoscopies, imaging, or surgery. CLs that are greater than 2 cm can present with abdominal pain, nausea, intestinal obstruction, diarrhea, bleeding, and intussusception. Barium enema and colonoscopy can provide diagnostic clues; however, abdominal computed tomography (CT) confirms the diagnosis. Treatment modalities range from observation to segmental colectomy and endoscopic or laparoscopic procedures. Surgical resection is preferred for CLs that are either symptomatic or greater than 2 cm. Giant lipomas are often symptomatic and amenable to treatment, with surgical resection, laparoscopy, and endoscopic resection being the preferred treatment modalities. In this case report, we discuss a case of a 71-year-old white female who presented with abdominal pain and was found to have a relevant intestinal obstruction due to a 7.2 x 4.7 x 5.3 cm fatty mass arising from the transverse colon. Right hemicolectomy was performed, and histopathological examination revealed a lipoma of the transverse colon.