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Original poster

Lump in Dd’s Leg

21 replies

UhhOhhh · 11/03/2018 19:38

Found a lump in my daughter’s leg tonight. It’s quite big, about the size of a golf ball. It’s hard, feels like bone. It’s just above her knee on the inside of her thigh. It doesn’t move about and is painless. She’s 13. I’m taking her to the gp tomorrow. I’m trying really hard not to freak out, I did some googling earlier which wasn’t a good idea ☹️ Not sure why I’m posting really, any idea what will happen next? Will she be sent for a X-ray straight away or will it be a long wait?

OP posts:
Original poster
UhhOhhh · 11/03/2018 19:38

Found a lump in my daughter’s leg tonight. It’s quite big, about the size of a golf ball. It’s hard, feels like bone. It’s just above her knee on the inside of her thigh. It doesn’t move about and is painless. She’s 13. I’m taking her to the gp tomorrow. I’m trying really hard not to freak out, I did some googling earlier which wasn’t a good idea ☹️ Not sure why I’m posting really, any idea what will happen next? Will she be sent for a X-ray straight away or will it be a long wait?

OP posts:
ShowOfHands · 11/03/2018 19:42

I had a whole lump saga with my DD last year and freaked out an awful lot. Also in her inside thigh.

In our case, the first step was an ultrasound (2 week max wait as it was an undiagnosed lump). The ultrasound chap said at the time that 90% of lumps can be pretty much diagnosed with an ultrasound.

Good luck and DON'T Google.

Lifeaback · 11/03/2018 19:44

The doctor will normally be able to get a good indication of what it is just from feeling it. It's most likely just a cyst or lipoma or something, he maybe refer for an ultrasound/CT/whatever just to be on the safe side but don't panic if he refers you- it doesn't mean he thinks it's something nasty, they just want to rule that out. Depending on where you are in the country, she should get a scan within about 2 weeks but sometimes that can be up to a month.

Good luck and I hope it all goes well. Try not to panic, I think they say that something like 92% of lumps investigated are benign and nothing to worry about, but it's always good to get these things checked just for peace of mind.

NickMyLipple · 11/03/2018 19:47

I'm not an expert but it sounds like it could be exotosis. See your GP of course but it's more than likely completely harmless :)

Original poster
UhhOhhh · 11/03/2018 19:47

Thanks, that wait must of been horrible. My dd seems to think she’ll find out what it is tomorrow, I’ve explained it will probably be a wait but she’s a bit of a drama queen as only 13 year olds can be. What was the outcome of your dds ultrasound if you don’t mind me asking?

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Babybeesmama · 11/03/2018 19:49

I'd imagine the gp will send you for an x-ray.. which will determine if it's bony or not. I would think you could go for that pretty quickly (I am a radiographer & we have a 9-5 open service for gp X-ray requests).

Def don't google.... I know it's really hard not to! Fingers crossed be nothing sinister. X

Original poster
UhhOhhh · 11/03/2018 19:51

Thanks, you can see it with the naked eye too, don’t know how we’ve only just noticed it

OP posts:
Original poster
UhhOhhh · 11/03/2018 19:52

It really feels like bone, not squishy at all

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ShowOfHands · 11/03/2018 21:30

DD had the ultrasound which confirmed it wasn't fat or fluid and they didn't know what it was so she had an MRI. That was also inconclusive so she was referred to a children's hospital two counties away for a contrast MRI which was similarly inconclusive so we were sent to Birmingham (2.5hrs away) for a needle biopsy and then a few weeks later returned to Birmingham for a full excision. It was a bit of a tough time but had a happy ending.

DD's lump was v different as it was soft tissue, painful and mobile.

Once in the system they're pretty quick and just brilliant.

Original poster
UhhOhhh · 11/03/2018 22:00

That sounds really tough for all of you. But reassuring so thank you. Will see what happens tomorrow.

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EmyRoo · 11/03/2018 22:03

My DD has a similar lump, it is a bone spur (an extra bit of bone grown out of her leg) It was x-rayed. It is mostly painless, aside from when she crosses her leg over that side.

EmyRoo · 11/03/2018 22:05

To answer the x-ray question, the GP sent her right in for it as she was a child and it was a lump. So no waiting. We found out the same day.

Original poster
UhhOhhh · 11/03/2018 22:08

Yes that’s what it feels like, extra bone sticking out but round. Really hoping for an X-ray tomorrow

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Honkyzeke · 12/03/2018 00:44

Last year my DD had a lump on her ankle and it looked and felt exactly like another ankle bone just below her actual ankle bone, like you we could plainly see it and wondered why we hadn't spotted it before, it felt so hard I believed it was bone and it was completely painless and immobile too( it was because it was so hard and big that it was immobile) so anyway took DD to Dr and she was concerned at how hard and large it was which got me worried so we got an ultrasound in 2 weeks, DD had the ultrasound where we found out it was a cyst, a ganglion cyst to be exact, she still has it it comes and goes. But they're full of a clear joint fluid and can get really hard, the same thing in/around the knee area is called a bakers/popliteal cyst.
Hope all goes well and you find out ASAP!

Honkyzeke · 12/03/2018 00:50

Also just to add I think they prefer to ultrasound rather than X-ray when it comes to children and as a PP said most lumps can be diagnosed through ultrasound.

PurpleTraitor · 12/03/2018 00:53

OP if you have to google anything, google osteochondroma. Because of the location you describe, and your DD’s age I suspect it’s a possible diagnosis and one they will x-ray for.

Original poster
UhhOhhh · 12/03/2018 13:31

Well we went for a X-ray, they said it looks like bone but have sent the results back to the gp and we have an appointment on Friday with him. So still no idea what it is, very frustrating!

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PurpleTraitor · 12/03/2018 16:10

If it’s bone it’s most likely osteochondroma. It presents most commonly at the end of the long bones on periods of rapid growth ie 13-15 years of age. It affects 3% of the population. It’s not a scary diagnosis. Obviously there are other things it could be but it’s nice to have something not scary to google. Glad you got the xray

Original poster
UhhOhhh · 12/03/2018 16:39

Yeah I did google that, and personally that’s what I think it is, it looked exactly like that on the X-ray, but what do I know? It’s going to be a long wait till Friday!

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Original poster
UhhOhhh · 16/03/2018 18:57

Just a little update. It’s an osteocrondroma, so massive relief. Going to see if she needs to me referred but most likely won’t do anything about it if it’s not causing any problems. So relieved, I might actually sleep tonight!

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Floweroct2 · 16/03/2018 20:48

Ah so glad! Been popping back today to check for an update

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