Definition: A xanthoma is a waxy, painless, yellowish to white bump that occurs underneath the skin or on tendons. They commonly occur in clusters and can appear anywhere on the body.
Xanthomas are not harmful skin lesions per se, but they usually signify the presence of very high cholesterol or triglyceride levels, which could lead to heart disease. They are also characteristic in many genetic conditions involving high cholesterol or triglyceride levels.
