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Dercum's disease: causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment
Last reviewed: 07.07.2025
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Dercum's disease (painful lipomatosis) is more common in women aged 40 to 50 years. It manifests itself as painful fatty deposits in the subcutaneous tissue in the form of lipomatous nodes of varying sizes. The skin over the lipomatous nodes is often reddened. The nodes are very painful. Their localization is usually asymmetrical, mobility is good. Different parts of the body are affected, much less often the face. Women often experience amenorrhea, and men - impotence. The disease is accompanied by significant neuropathic manifestations, often hysterical or asthenic. Complaints of a psychotic nature are possible.
Differential diagnosis should be made with neurofibromatosis Recklinghausen. Lipomas in Dercum's disease are less dense, larger in size and are not located along the course of nerves.
Treatment of Dercum's disease
Complex therapy used for mixed cerebral obesity should be used. Sometimes surgical intervention with excision of the lipomas that most interfere with movement is necessary.
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