Question: Hello, for years (I wish I could remember exactly how long... definitely at least 5-6 years but quite possibly a lot longer than that as I remember having this for a long time) I've had a hard lump in my forearm on the underside (palm side) about 3.5 inches down from the elbow crease and in line with pointer and middle fingers. It feels like it is in the muscle. It is hard to tell the exact size but seems to be a little over an inch by about a half an inch.

It doesn't hurt and over the years I tend to forget completely about it unless I am really into lifting weights when I'll notice it more, especially after my forearms are pumped from doing curls.

I don't think it has changed in size at all over the years.

Recently I read out about a friend of a friend being diagnosed with a Stage IV sarcoma (not sure where or the type), but that made me "remember" this forearm mass. I have since asked 3 different Dr's and they've told me not to worry about it. I am pretty sure they all suggested it could be a lipoma.

I also remember years ago (probably 5-6) showing it to a Dr. who also told me not to worry and didn't suggest any follow-ups. What concerns me is that when I read about Lipomas I read that they are usually soft and under the skin. This is definitely hard and feels deeper than the skin... and in the muscle.

One of the Dr's told me that I could get a MRI if I want to. I've decided that I will do that to play it safe, but I won't be able to get that scheduled for a little while and am really starting to worry.

I've since been reading about all the different types of sarcomas (liposarcomas, synovial, epitheliod, etc.) and have read about some being slow growing, painless, etc. Sites like the XXXXXXX Clinic suggest having a MRI for any lump that isn't clearly a lipoma examined.

This makes me wonder why the Dr's I've seen haven't suggested that right away? The MRI is coming from me persisting... Is there anything I'm not seeing that should make me worry less? As in, would I be very sick by now if this was a sarcoma and I've had it for at least 5 years??

Again, from what I can tell it hasn't grown and doesn't hurt on its own (I start to notice it if I keep pushing and prodding at it...).

I am becoming terrified that I could get this MRI and find out that this is in fact malignant (or suspected to be then confirmed with a biopsy) and that if I had done all of this YEARS ago I would've saved my life and now I could be out of luck.

Hoping for another opinion on this and potentially something positive that I'm not seeing... Thanks!

Thank you! The Dr. That will be ordering the MRI is an orthopedic surgeon specializing in the hand and upper extremeties (have been seeing him for a different injury).

Do I need to be careful as to where my MRI is done? As in making sure the imaging center has oncologists on staff that work the radiologists? I read that on a sarcoma site... Or would you say that isn't necessary given your confidence that this is benign and just go with whatever imaging center is most convenient?

Lastly, I read about that some sarcomas can be very slow growing amd some of those sounded similar to mine (based on location on arm, in muscle, hard, age range, etc.).

What I dont know is how slow is "slow growing." I assume by your response that you would expect me to notice it growing by now after a minimun if 5-6 years... But can you give me a better understanding of how long it would take a "very slow growing" sarcoma to show signs of growth in a location like mine? I've always felt it pretty easily from the surface despite it feeling like it is in the muscle...

Basically does slow growing mean a year or two before noticeable growth or could it a lot longer like 5-10 years which would make me worry more?

Thanks!