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Southern California surfers are being diagnosed with a bizarre ‘tumor’ condition
Yahoo Health • • health
Key Points:
- Longtime surfers are developing unusual fatty growths called "liposurfomas" on their chests, caused by repeated pressure from paddling on hard surfboards.
- These growths, while benign, can resemble tumors and lead to unnecessary medical testing and anxiety among surfers.
- Research from the University of California, Irvine highlights that these lumps result from low-intensity trauma to subcutaneous tissue during surfing and differ from the harder "surfer's knots" found on other body parts.
- The growths tend to enlarge during active surf seasons and shrink during breaks, with treatment options including wetsuit padding or surgical removal, though the lumps may return if surfing continues.
- The condition has gained attention in Southern California, with surfers and experts raising awareness to prevent misdiagnosis and unnecessary concern.
