|  | Conditions Treatments | Tumors

HCG & Lipolysis for Lipomas

Lipomas are benign lumps of tissue under the skin that grow anywhere on the body. They are harmless but some people choose to remove them through a still-unproven process that uses a hormone called human chorionic gonadotropin.

  1. What is HCG?

    • HCG is a hormone produced by women when they're pregnant that supports the development of the placenta. HCG is also used as a part of some diet regimes in the belief that it can break down fat cells and help eliminate fat, including the fat in lipomas.

    What is Lipolysis?

    • In adddition to breaking down fat cells, some people believe HCG can trigger a process called lipolysis. Lipolysis is the process in which hormones are introduced into the body to metabolize lipomas and either shrink or dissolve them.

    Does it Work?

    • Anecdotal evidence shows that HCG helps burn fat and eliminate lipomas, but no scientific proof exists. Since 1975, the FDA has required all marketing for HCG products to state that "HCG has not been demonstrated to be effective adjunctive therapy in the treatment of obesity." For that reason, most physicians recommend using ultrasound or excision to remove lipomas.

Tumors - Related Articles