Suggest Treatment For Palpable Lumps Below The Rib Cage
Here is my current question: I have two small, hard lymph nodes (I believe) that are on the left side of my upper stomach, by my rib cage. I have had them for about 2 months. I am seeing the doctor on friday. I do not have any other symptoms. I also have a hernia which has not been treated, between my sternum and my belly button. it is now sore to touch. What can I assume will happen with the doctor on friday?
Gosh, I've just noticed a 3rd one, on my left side, just by my rib cage.
it's tiny, and like a pellet, as are the other two.
the third lump is near my waist.
This lumps can not be lymph nodes.
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
Thank you for the query.
Lymph nodes do not appear in the location described by you. Below the rib cage you are not able to palpate any lymph nodes in the soft tissue. If any lymph nodes appear in this location, are hidden deep in the abdominal cavity. But this lymph nodes can not be palpated.
So the lumps you are able to palpate are not the lymph nodes for sure.
The lump near the waist can be a lymph node only if its in the groin area.
As you have abdominal hernia, and some lumps in the soft tissues, the first thing which has to be done is abdominal ultrasound and soft tissues ultrasound. This tests can tell what kind of tissue are the lumps build of. Abdominal ultrasound can tell about the hernia. As it starts to pain, can be stuck. And if so, surgery seems necessary to fix it.
The lumps you are able to palpate can be lipomas. This kind of lesions are benign, build of fatty tissue. Can appear in multiply location. And can be removed by a surgeon as tend to enlarge with time.
Hope this will help. Feel free to ask further questions.
Regards.
I appreciate your time and consideration. It is difficult when waiting so long to see a doctor, so your responses are most welcomed.
Lipoma is still possible.
Detailed Answer:
I am pretty sure this is nothing serious. This lumps are benign for 99%. And still lipomas are possible. They can be harder than the previous one depending of the location. So in my opinion there is nothing to worry about.
I appreciate your response. I realize that the probabilities are low that it might be something like sarcinoma. I suppose with multiple sites and hardness I am concerned, though. I am seeing the doctor Friday so I suppose I shall find out soon enough. I shall receive my results from the thyroid biopsy that day, too.
Thank you again, sir, for your help.
The lumps aren't very movable, either. So, this is also causing me concern.
This is NOT a sarcoma for sure.
Detailed Answer:
Actually multiple sites are NOT characteristic for sarcoma. We suspect sarcoma when the lump grows very fast (like in few weeks). Sarcoma is much more often present on the limbs than anywhere else. And sarcoma very often appears after some injury.
So once again, I`m almost 99% sure this lesions are benign. Even if you find them harder than the lipoma, and not movable, still you can not rule lipoma out. Moreover, this lumps can be build of some other than fatty tissue (like connective tissue). But still this lesions are benign.
You, like the other doctors here, are patient, courteous, and deal much better with the emotional pressure on the patient than any of the doctors I have seen.
I shall be happy to use you and this site again.
You are welcome.
Detailed Answer:
You are welcome. And feel free to ask.