Angiolipomas are benign soft tissue tumors composed of adipocytes. Clinically, they resemble lipomas, but they may be slightly firmer on palpation. While lipomas are typically asymptomatic, angiolipomas can be tender or painful. Angiolipomas differ from lipomas in their composition because they include vascular and neural elements. Angiolipomas are usually less than 2 cm in size and may be solitary or multiple. They are most commonly found on the forearms, but they may also occur on the trunk or upper arms. Approximately 5% of angiolipomas are familial, most often following an autosomal recessive transmission pattern.

Symptomatic angiolipomas have been noted to appear with the initiation of antiretroviral therapy in HIV patients. This may be associated with fat redistribution that has been observed with protease inhibitors.

Extracutaneous angiolipomas may also occur. They may be found in the kidneys in association with tuberous sclerosis. They account for less than 1% of spinal tumors, in which case they may be associated with spina bifida.