What is "adiposis dolorosa"

n. A rare condition characterized by multiple painful lipomas, mainly on the trunk, upper arms and upper legs.

Adiposis dolorosa, also known as Dercum's disease, is a rare condition characterized by generalized obesity and fatty tumors in the adipose tissue. The tumors are normally painful and found in multiples on the extremities. The understanding of the cause and mechanism of Dercum disease remains unknown. Possible causes include nervous system dysfunction, mechanical pressure on nerves, adipose tissue dysfunction, and trauma.

Dercum's disease was first described at Jefferson Medical College by neurologist Francis Xavier Dercum in 1892.