Findinga new lump or bump on your body would give most of us pause. After all, a lump can, in rare cases, mean cancer. But not every bump or lumpshould cause concern or worry.
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To get a better understanding of when something new is worth talking to your doctor about, we spoke with orthopedic surgeonNathan W. Mesko, MD.
Are all lumps cause for concern?
The good news is that a majorityof these lumps are harmless and not a cause for concern. Anumber ofskin or medical conditionscan cause lumps and bumps to appear on the surface or just below the skin.
When not to worry
Lumps that are not a cause for concernhave somedistinctive characteristics.
Not-so-seriouslumps usually are:
- Soft.
- Mobile, meaning it moves and changes form when you touch it.
- Located in the superficial or fat layer of skin.
- Grow large and painful with activity, and diminish in size with rest.
Lumps connected to exercise
“One major marker isifyou can connectthe lump’s appearance to a specific trauma or activity,” says orthopedic surgeon Dr. Mesko. Athletes of all levelsexperience the occasional bump as a result of exercise, training, competition or other physical activity, he adds.
“In that case, we recommend you follow the basic RICE method: rest, ice, compression and elevation,” Dr. Mesko says.“If, over time, the lump or swelling improves, that’s a reassuring sign that it is harmless and nothing to worry about.”
Cysts
Oneof the most common conditions that cause lumps, bumps or swelling are cysts. Some common cysts includeBaker’s cysts, a fluid-filled bulgethatforms behind the knee andganglion cysts,rounded lumps filled with a jelly-like fluid that can develop on tendons and joints.
When to see a doctor
Inrare cases, an unexplained lump, bump or swelling can bea sign of a more serious issue beneath theskin.
Bumps that are cancerous are typically large, hard,painless to the touchand appearspontaneously. The masswill grow in size steadily over the weeks andmonths. Cancerous lumps that can be felt from the outside of your body can appear in the breast, testicl*, or neck, but also in the arms and legs.
Adult soft tissue sarcoma
One type of cancerous lump thatcan form almost anywhere in the body is called adult soft tissue sarcoma.The soft tissues of the body include the muscles, tendons (the bands of fiber that connect muscles to bones), fat, blood vessels, lymph vessels, nerves and the tissues around joints.
Most frequently, though, adult soft tissue sarcoma developsin the legs, arms, chest or the area behind the abdomen called the retroperitoneum, says oncologist Dale Shepard, MD, PhD.
“Adult soft tissue sarcoma is a disease in which malignant cells form in the soft tissues of the body,” he says. “In the early stages, itrarely causes symptoms because the tumors often are located deep in the tissue.”
Soft tissue sarcomas cangrow to be quite large before causing symptoms becausethey often are embedded deep in the body, Dr. Shepard says.
Most commonly, soft tissue sarcomas feel likemasses or bumps, which may be painful. If the tumorisin the abdomen, it may produce nausea or a sensation of fullness as well as pain, he says.
Adult soft tissue sarcoma is rare. Among adults, they represent less than 1% of all cancers, Dr. Shepard says.
Other causes
Other conditions can cause swelling leading to new lumps, too. While these may not be associated with an emergency condition, they’re worth monitoring and discussing with your healthcare provider:
It’s important to talk with your doctor about any lumps that are larger than twoinches (about the size of a golf ball), grow larger, or are painful regardless of their location.
“Tell your doctor about new lumps or other symptoms that cannot be explained or that don’t go away in a few weeks,” Dr. Shepard says.
FAQs
Bumps that are cancerous are typically large, hard, painless to the touch and appear spontaneously. The mass will grow in size steadily over the weeks and months. Cancerous lumps that can be felt from the outside of your body can appear in the breast, testicl*, or neck, but also in the arms and legs.
When should I be worried about bumps and lumps? ›
See a GP if: your lump gets bigger. your lump is painful, red or hot. your lump is hard and does not move.
Why am I getting random lumps all over my body? ›
Common causes of skin lumps include: Lipomas, which are fatty lumps under the skin. Enlarged lymph glands, usually in the armpits, neck, and groin. Cysts, a closed sac in or under the skin that is lined with skin tissue and contains fluid or semisolid material.
What do cancerous lumps look like? ›
A cancerous lump is usually hard, not soft or squishy. And it often has angular, irregular, asymmetrical edges, as opposed to being smooth, Dr. Comander says. In order for you to feel a cancerous lump, it probably has to be rather large and closer to the surface of the skin.
What are abnormal bumps? ›
Skin conditions like acne, keloids, allergies, and shingles may cause raised skin bumps. Bumps may also occur with more severe health conditions that require medical attention, such as MRSA, cellulitis, or cancer. Raised skin bumps are very common and harmless in most cases.
Which lump is serious? ›
Normal, benign lumps typically feel soft and roll easily under your fingers. They may cause pain if they become infected or inflamed. On the other hand, cancerous lumps usually grow in size and are hard, large, and painless.
How do you know if a lump is abnormal? ›
Joshi says that there are some features that make a lump particularly concerning, including: Changes in the skin over the lump. Nipple changes, including enlargement or bloody discharge. Changes in the size of the lump.
Where do cancerous lumps appear? ›
Persistent lumps or swelling in any part of your body should be taken seriously. This includes any lumps in the neck, armpit, stomach, groin, chest, breast, or testicl*.
What does a sarcoma lump look like? ›
A soft tissue sarcoma lump on the outside of the body can appear suddenly as a rounded mass beneath the skin, usually on your arm, leg, chest, or torso. It can be soft or firm and grows noticeably bigger in weeks and months after it is first discovered.
What are the bumps that look like pimples but aren t? ›
For many people, skin bumps on the face are caused by an acne breakout. But not all bumps are acne. Skin cancer and other noncancerous growths, like moles, cysts, and milia, can also form bumps on your face. And it can be hard to tell the difference if you don't know what you're looking for.
In stage IA, the tumor is 5 centimeters or smaller and is low grade or the grade is unknown. Low-grade cancer cells look more like normal cells under a microscope and grow and spread more slowly than mid-grade and high-grade cancer cells.
What does a stage 1 melanoma look like? ›
Stage I melanoma is no more than 1.0 millimeter thick (about the size of a sharpened pencil point), with or without an ulceration (broken skin). There is no evidence that Stage I melanoma has spread to the lymph tissues, lymph nodes, or body organs.
What does a pre cancerous lump look like? ›
Visible signs of precancerous skin
Crustiness or bleeding. Diameter of less than one inch. Discoloration, often appearing brown, pink, gray, red, yellow, or white. Flat or slightly raised.
What disease causes bumpy skin? ›
Keratosis pilaris develops when keratin forms a scaly plug that blocks the opening of the hair follicle. Usually plugs form in many hair follicles, causing patches of rough, bumpy skin. Keratosis pilaris is caused by the buildup of keratin — a hard protein that protects skin from harmful substances and infection.
What causes multiple cysts in the body? ›
Some of the known causes of cysts include: Blocked ducts, which cause a build-up of fluid. A defect in the cells. An impact injury that pops a blood vessel.
Should I be worried about bumps on my skin? ›
“Skin bumps vary in appearance and number depending on the cause,” says Zhaoyi Qin, MD, an internal medicine physician at Scripps Clinic Torrey Pines. “Most don't need treatment, but speak with your doctor if you're concerned about any changes in your bumps or the overall condition of your skin.”
How do you tell if a lump is a cyst? ›
A doctor may use an ultrasound to examine a cyst or tumor located deep within the body. Ultrasound imaging can often show whether a lump is hollow, fluid-filled, or a collection of cells. In some cases, a doctor may request a biopsy, which involves removing the lump or cells from it.
Are hard bumps cancerous? ›
A hard lump under the skin does not necessarily indicate cancer. Infections, clogged glands, and hormonal changes can all cause noncancerous lumps under the skin. People should not try to remove or pop a lump. Doing this may lead to an infection or cause the lump to get bigger.
