Tell me about lumps that aren’t cancer?

[BogOffJanuary]

I know that no one can diagnose over the internet and I have been to the doctor and hospital already!

Have had a small hard, non moving, non painful, slowly growing lump on my upper arm since around Christmas. The skin above it is permanently bruised with a bruise that slowly grows as the lump does but never changes colour. I’m absolutely petrified. Went to the doctor at the end January about it as it was getting bigger instead of disappearing and was referred for a soft tissue scan which I had yesterday.

The ultrasound technicians obviously aren’t allowed to tell me what was in the scan but told me my GP should have the results by middle of next week at the latest. I’m absolutely petrified, have been for weeks and I can’t take the anxiety anymore. Along with the lump I’ve lost 4kg since the start of January but nothing in my diet/exercise has changed. I’m getting bruises on my hands and face with no recollection of having hurt myself. Always freezing and always tired too. Bruises/cold/tiredness didn’t start until the start of feb though so haven’t been to see the doctor about this yet.

Tbh I just really want someone to tell me I don’t have cancer, I’m not usually health anxious but this is scaring the absolute bejeezus out of me. Has anyone had a lump like this before that turned out to be nothing serious?!

Hopeful bump?

Hello. I have no idea, sorry. But bumping this for you so hopefully someone can help. Did the doctor give you any indications of what it might be? Stress can make you lose weight.

Had a lump on my underarm which went away and a lump in my breast that I had surgically removed. Just fatty tissue nothing to worry about.

All the best OP I know when worrying this won't help but most lumps are nothing

Dr Pimple Popper on YouTube deals with loads!

Thanks @DownWhichOfLate no she said she wasn’t going to speculate as it’d just cause me to worry, it’s the not knowing that’s getting to me though! Didn’t consider stress for weight loss, makes sense though as I’ve done nothing but stress about it since I found it!

@knightlight did the fatty tissue grow slowly? Mine was about a half cm in size when I first noticed it, it’s probably just over a cm and a half now as far as I can tell. Thanks, it does help a bit though, definitely good to know not all are something bad anyway!

Might take a look at the Dr Pimple Popper out of sheer morbid curiosity

DD has a lump on his neck. Started about the size a pin head, under the skin and only noticeable when rubbing cream in. It's now (2years later) about the size of a marrowfat pea and you can see it when he turns to the side. It's nothing to worry about, just a lump. Most likely a sebaceous cyst that will pop spectacularly one day. I just hope I'm there to see it! (I'm a sporner).

If it helps, I have an 8 cm thyroid tumour. It's non cancerous (I've had 3 biopsies, a hot and cold test, and numerous scans). Im having a CT scan next month. It's been monitored since 2014 when it was first noticed. At that point, it was 4cm. Consultant now considering taking it out as the more it grows, the higher the risk of complications with my voice box. It's a goitre, most likely started by post pregnancy hormones.

What you describe sounds a lot more like a angiolipoma than cancer.

@MrsPworkingmummy that sounds slightly terrifying, I hope it all goes well if they do take it out! Glad it’s nothing more sinister though.

@99problemsandthecatis1 do cysts get heads on to pop? This is a lump below the skin in the fatty part of my upper arm (if that makes sense?) Not sure id like it to pop

@LeGrandBleu going to have a google of that, I’ve so far tried to avoid googling (except the first time just before I went to the doctors and scared myself stiff, refused to google it after that )

But thanks everyone, feel a bit better knowing it could be completely harmless. Was freaking out a bit over it last night!

I’ve got a lump in my neck that you can see, about the size of a large pea

Was referred into hospital under a 2 week referral and it was absolutely nothing! Just a swollen node

I have a lump in my arm and one in my leg. Quite big already when I noticed them and I was pretty worried. Doctor said most likely fatty tissue. They haven't changed in 10 years now so not really concerned about them. I hope yours is similar!

I’ve had breast lumps three times - each one in a different position and one fully investigated.

Two totally harmless, one a benign cyst which was drained.

Hope that helps

Most likely a fatty lump/cyst. Cancer very unlikely to present like that. Weight loss probably due to anxiety.

I had one on my upper leg and it was there for years to he honest. I had it removed and it was fine. It left a scar bigger then I had expected.

I have a weird hormone induced lump in my armpit
It goes up when I'm on my period

Hi all, just wanted to say thanks a lot for all your replies/support. Saw my doctor today, it’s a small growth (she did call it something but it’s completely gone out my head!) since it’s growing so slowly, confined to the one spot and not causing me any issues she’s confident it’s harmless. She’s sending me for some blood tests (said it was just routine) but providing they come back clear then she’ll just reassess in 6 months. Had been mildly terrified when the surgery called and receptionist suggested I might want to bring someone with me but that was apparently an accident!

Hurrah!

I have a dermatofibroma which sounds similar to what you have described.

I have a number of lumps on various parts of me - mostly red. Can’t remember what they’re called but the doctors couldn’t care less when I show them!

A lipoma is a a lump of benign fatty issue - they're very common. If grow too big, you can have removed (me twice), but you exchange a lump - for a scar.....your choice.

@Cabaceo that sounds familiar, she’d said it probably wouldn’t need removing and she’s going to check it again in a few months to make sure it’s not changing. Was so relieved, could have hugged her

Fabulous news! I had been wondering what had happened but didn’t want to ask. What a relief.