HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

What Does Alump In The Groin Indicate?

Posted on Wed, 23 Apr 2014

Question: Hello doctor. I discovered golfball size lump in my groin last Saturday. Its grown, is now about a bit larger than baseball size. Almost seems it gotten bigger with growing ascites belly. Probably carrying around 3gallons at moment, will be drained next week. Lump is soft and not painful most of time. Only a little while before I poop it turns hard and moderately painful. Any idea what this could be? Thank you.

Answered by Dr. Ivo Ditah (42 minutes later)

Brief Answer: Could be a hernia! Detailed Answer: Hi and thank you so much for this query. I am so sorry to hear about what you are currently experiencing. With a failing/failed liver, fluid accumulation becomes a huge problem and this can be very disturbing. From the information you have provided, this mass would most likely represent a hernia. You would need to get examined for this suspicion to be confirmed. There is really no emergency at this time and I will rather suggest that you inform your doctor about this next week when you go in for fluid drainage. Should it cause any concerning symptoms like intense pain, difficulties going to stools, etc before your appointment date, I will suggest that you go in immediate for evaluation and management. About the failing liver, ask your doctor if there are any plans for a possible consideration for liver transplant as this remains the single and most effective treatment for liver failure. I hope this helps. I wish you well. Thank you so much for using our services and do feel free to ask for more information and clarification if need be. Thanks. Dr. Ditah, MD.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Shanthi.E

Follow up: Dr. Ivo Ditah (34 minutes later)

Thank you for your timely and compassionate answer. You are right the fluid in my abdomen is causing me a lot of problems and discomfort. Specially when its a lot and I'm really big like now. And after being drained its not even quite a week before my belly starts to be visibly distended again. About the lump. I almost suspected its a hernia, as I have a rather large bellybutton hernia. But I'm wondering why this new one would get hard and moderately painful before I have a stool. Any ideas? Thank you again.

Answered by Dr. Ivo Ditah (9 hours later)

Brief Answer: May be due to intestine movements Detailed Answer: Hi and thank you so much for your kind words. If the orifice of a hernia is small, it can impinge on the intestines as they rush in and out of it especially during bowel movements which are at its peak during defecation. Maybe movement of intestinal loops into it causes this pain. A large belly button hernia would rarely cause pain because the entry and exit is done without any difficulties. Unfortunately, we need to get it fully examined before concluding on this diagnosis and advancing possible explanations about the origin of the pain. I will suggest that you exercise some patience and get this examined during your next visit and we shall go on from there. I hope this helps. I wish you well. Thanks for using our services and feel free to ask for more information and clarification if need be. Thanks. Dr. Ditah, MD.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj

Follow up: Dr. Ivo Ditah (28 hours later)

Once again thank you for your answer , what you explained about my bowels moving through the hernia made a lot of sense to me. I apologize for bothering you again but should I be concerned that hernia is growing? When I discovered it was about golfball size. And within not even a week it grew to size of baseball. Now it is about 7in long and maybe 6in at its widest and more egg shaped now and very visible through my. Is this getting bigger normal? Awaiting a answer and thank you.

Answered by Dr. Ivo Ditah (3 hours later)

Brief Answer: Growing bigger is normal but not desired! Detailed Answer: Hi, Hernia generally increases in size over time but we do not really like this. I Hope you get to show this to your doctors as soon as possible for them to see what can be done about it. I really doubt if anyone would accept to operate upon this right now but let's get the diagnosis confirmed before making any conclusions and suggesting possible management. You may want too put your hand over this each time you cough or strain during stools so as to limit the continued increase in size. Sorry about this. With the increase size, the pain would definitely decrease as the opening increases in size. I hope this helps. i wish you well. Thanks and eel free to request for more information and clarification. Dr. Ivo, MD.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T

Follow up: Dr. Ivo Ditah (24 hours later)

Thank you once again for answer. I hope it is alright I bother you with more question. When I was in to get drained the doctor examed me and confirmed its a hernia. He said its large but nothing to worry bout and no reason for surgery. He suggested to push it in (as I'm able to do with my bellybutton one when I don't have much fluid) and said, like you, to hold it when coughing/straining. Now my question. I tried to push it in when I got home but wasnt able though I can push my bellybutton hernia in (it comes back out with moderate activity). I have to say my belly is still moderately large (there were problems and they couldn't take as much fluid off). Can that be reason? Any other suggestions of how to reduce the hernia in size? Or how to better manage it? It is very noticeable and quite uncomfortable (though not painful at all anymore). I upload two pictures to illustrate. I tried tucking it in/up into my understanding pants too but that was more uncomfortable. Any suggestions are appreciated. Thank you and sorry for bothering you.

Answered by Dr. Ivo Ditah (2 days later)

Brief Answer: Sorry for the tardy respond Detailed Answer: Hi and thank you so much for this follow up information. I have reviewed the message and to be honest it is very very visible. i wonder if there is some where by which you would be able to hide this from the public. In any case, what matters most is you being able to accept it and not be bothered by it. What the public thinks has little bearing on this condition unless you let them to talk you into it. Surgery would have been an ideal solution to this. Unfortunately, it is not just the right thing to do right now. I will suggest you continue with the life style modifications for the time being. I you can try a brace that can sit over this area and prevent the intestines and fluids from running in and out. It would be a a good thing to try out. I hope this helps. I wish you well. Thank you so much for your patience and feel free to ask for more clarification and information. Dr. Ivo, MD.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj

Follow up: Dr. Ivo Ditah (8 hours later)

Thank you for your answer and I apologies for my impatience. I have looked up hernia belts/briefs but I'm not sure they work for me. As said I can't push this hernia in and it seems I need be able to do this for belts/briefs to work. Am I assuming rightly? About hiding it. I tried tucking it into my underwear instead of letting it hang. I tried across my lower belly. Also tried between my legs. But that was very uncomfortable specially between my legs that also made sitting impossible. And the bulge is just as very visible. So I don't know. If its a ok I would like to ask a non hernia questions. Its about my ascites. I couldn't get as much fluid drained at last appointment. That left my belly moderately large. Its been only a few days and my belly seems to be filling up much more quickly than usual. It is almost as big as usual after three weeks now. Also it feels a lot tighter. And it sits higher, hangs less. It is much more uncomfortable with a lot more pressure on my guts. Symptoms of no appetite, fullness, stomach pain and nausea are also a lot worse. I'm wondering why the change and what I should do. My schedule appointment for draining is still 10 days away. Thank you for your patience.

Answered by Dr. Ivo Ditah (10 hours later)

Brief Answer: Please, get an appointment! Detailed Answer: Please, the interval of your appointment should not be fixed but determined by the symptoms that warrant relief. i think you have enough symptoms that warrant that you get some relief. Talk to your doctor and get the appointment dates closer. I will also like you to ask your doctor if he thinks increasing the dosage of your water pills may be helpful as the fluid gets to accumulate even faster. I hope this helps. you are always welcome to ask for more information or clarification if need be. Thanks. Dr. Ivo, MD.

Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Shanthi.E