Xanthelasma and Xanthoma

Pronounced: Zan-tha-las-ma; zan-tho-muh

• Definition • Causes • Risk Factors • Symptoms • Diagnosis • Treatment • Prevention

Definition

Xanthoma is a condition in which fatty deposits form beneath the skin. They can be more than three inches in size or very small. Xanthomas are not painful or dangerous, but can be cosmetically disfiguring. Xanthomas may appear anywhere on the body, but are most frequently found on the elbows, joints, tendons, knees, hands, feet, and buttocks.

Xanthelasma is a form of xanthoma that appears on the eyelids.

Causes

Xanthoma is typically caused by:

Elevated levels of lipids (fats) in the blood
Metabolic disorders including:
- Diabetes
- Primary biliary cirrhosis
- Some cancers
- Inherited metabolic disorders like familial hypercholesterolemia (high levels of cholesterol in the blood)

Although xantlelasma may be associated with high triglyceride and cholesterol levels it can occur without cholesterol problems.

Risk Factors

A risk factor is something that increases your chance of getting a disease or condition.

The following factors increase your chance of developing xanthoma:

Having a metabolic disorder listed above
Having extremely high cholesterol and/or triglyceride levels
Aging

Symptoms

The most common symptoms of xanthoma are:

Bumps under the skin
Skin lesions that are:
- Many different shapes
- Yellow to orange
- Have well-defined borders

Diagnosis

Xanthoma is usually diagnosed by examining the skin growths, but a biopsy of the tissue will confirm a fatty deposit.

Skin Biopsy

A blood lipid profile and other tests may be done to determine the underlying condition responsible for the appearance of xanthomas.

Treatment

Treating xanthoma consists of treating and controlling the underlying health conditions that cause the fatty deposits to develop. Better control of the metabolic disorders that can lead to xanthoma can reduce their occurrence.

Xanthomas may be tender, itchy, and painful. Xanthomas can recur after treatment.

Other treatment options for xanthomas include:

Surgery

Surgery may be used to remove the fatty deposits. However, even after a xanthoma is surgically removed, it can recur.

Laser

Laser surgery with CO2 laser, pulse-dye laser, or Erbium-YAG laser can be performed.

Chemical

Treatment with trichloroacetic acid may also be used to treat xanthomas.

Prevention

To help reduce your chances of getting xanthoma, take the following steps:

Keep blood lipids and cholesterol at a healthy level
Keep metabolic disorders well-controlled

RESOURCES:

American Academy of Dermatology
http://www.aad.org

American Academy of Family Physicians
http://familydoctor.org

CANADIAN RESOURCES:

British Columbia Ministry of Health
http://www.bchealthguide.org

Canadian Dermatology Association
http://www.dermatology.ca/

REFERENCES:

Ellis K, Sprecher D. Hyperlipidemia. The Cleveland Clinic website. Published May 29, 2002. Available at: http://www.clevela... Accessed April 15, 2007.

Encyclopedia: xanthelasma and xanthoma. The University of Tennessee Medical Center website. Available at: http://www.utmedic... Accessed April 15, 2007.

Feingold K, Castro G, Ishikawa Y, Fielding P, Fielding C. Cutaneous xanthoma in association with paraproteinemia in the absence of hyperlipidemia. J Clin Invest . 1989 Mar;83(3):796-802.

Last reviewed [Under Medical Review] by Ross Zeltser, MD, FAAD
Last Updated: 9/1/2011

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