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What Causes Hard, Immobile Lump On Rib?
Question: Hi, I'm a 27 year old female, and found a hard, immobile lump on my left rib jut under breast the beginning of July. I was sent to a breast center for a sono, and was able to rule out breast tumor. They did say that the lump is part of (attached to) my rib. The didn't say for sure if it was cartilage growth or bone. (Would cartilage for that matter feel that hard, or soft and moveable?)
Since it was not breast related thy didn't give me much more info. Should I follow up with my primary dr, and request something else or is it most likely nothing? It's hard like bone, and bruises easily when pressed on too much (breast exams -2- have caused it to bruise)
Since it was not breast related thy didn't give me much more info. Should I follow up with my primary dr, and request something else or is it most likely nothing? It's hard like bone, and bruises easily when pressed on too much (breast exams -2- have caused it to bruise)
Brief Answer:
Probably bone/cartilage related.
Detailed Answer:
Hi and thank you so much for this query.
A hard and immobile lump is suggestive of a bone or cartilage tissue. If it were to be a breast related problem, immobility and hard consistency only occur late in the disease process that usually takes years. This is not what can be missed by the specialists. There is no need for immediate aggressive evaluation now. Monitor and make sure there is no change in the size and consistency over time that may raise the suspicion of other possible causes.
In all, likely bone/cartilage related. No need for immediate and aggressive medical attention. Monitoring is all I recommend now.
I hope this addresses your query fully. I wish you well. Thank you so much for using our services and do feel free to ask for more information and clarifications if need be.
Probably bone/cartilage related.
Detailed Answer:
Hi and thank you so much for this query.
A hard and immobile lump is suggestive of a bone or cartilage tissue. If it were to be a breast related problem, immobility and hard consistency only occur late in the disease process that usually takes years. This is not what can be missed by the specialists. There is no need for immediate aggressive evaluation now. Monitor and make sure there is no change in the size and consistency over time that may raise the suspicion of other possible causes.
In all, likely bone/cartilage related. No need for immediate and aggressive medical attention. Monitoring is all I recommend now.
I hope this addresses your query fully. I wish you well. Thank you so much for using our services and do feel free to ask for more information and clarifications if need be.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you!
As a background as well to all this. I had testing done back in May for several things due to daily fevers lasting over 2months. After the fevers stopped, i had severe fatigue and joint pain. I tested postive with high ANA in XXXXXXX and anemia. Then at the end of XXXXXXX my ANA was normal and I came back positive with CMV and Mono, as well as anemic still. A week after that is when i noticed the lump. My fevers started back up about two weeks ago, as well as continued joint pain. Lupus was ruled out, although there is family history. I probably wouldnt be as concerned about it, if my health in general hadnt been being so messed up. I have doubts about the positive CMV and mono as well, because I have 4 children and my husband, who have all remained healthy these past several months!
As a background as well to all this. I had testing done back in May for several things due to daily fevers lasting over 2months. After the fevers stopped, i had severe fatigue and joint pain. I tested postive with high ANA in XXXXXXX and anemia. Then at the end of XXXXXXX my ANA was normal and I came back positive with CMV and Mono, as well as anemic still. A week after that is when i noticed the lump. My fevers started back up about two weeks ago, as well as continued joint pain. Lupus was ruled out, although there is family history. I probably wouldnt be as concerned about it, if my health in general hadnt been being so messed up. I have doubts about the positive CMV and mono as well, because I have 4 children and my husband, who have all remained healthy these past several months!
Brief Answer:
Is this lump painful?
Detailed Answer:
Hi and thanks for this follow up precision.
I will like to know if this lump is painful or not. If it is painful associated with all the painful syndromes you have reported, then it may not necessarily represent just a bone/cartilage tissue.
"Mono and CMV were positive". I will like to know if the test suggested a recent infection or showed that you had been infected a long time ago. If possible, could you please upload the results sheet to me for interpretation?
Do you still have fevers at this time? Has your weight been stable? What about night sweats, loss of appetite and fatigue? If you have these symptoms, then I will not want to stop at this but get it further evaluated to make sure we are missing out on anything here.
Let me hear from you before making conclusions and possible recommendations and suggestions.
Is this lump painful?
Detailed Answer:
Hi and thanks for this follow up precision.
I will like to know if this lump is painful or not. If it is painful associated with all the painful syndromes you have reported, then it may not necessarily represent just a bone/cartilage tissue.
"Mono and CMV were positive". I will like to know if the test suggested a recent infection or showed that you had been infected a long time ago. If possible, could you please upload the results sheet to me for interpretation?
Do you still have fevers at this time? Has your weight been stable? What about night sweats, loss of appetite and fatigue? If you have these symptoms, then I will not want to stop at this but get it further evaluated to make sure we are missing out on anything here.
Let me hear from you before making conclusions and possible recommendations and suggestions.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Unfortunately I do not have a print out of the labs, and they do not offer online access. So I really so not know the answer to whether it was "new" cmv and mono, or possibly showing positive from a time before.
The lump does not hurt/cause any type of pain. However, when it was examined the first time, pressed and moved around, the next day it was painful because it bruised. That only lasted 2 days, and then was "normal", just a lump. This lump i would say is at my 1:00, left breast side, I found another last night in the shower at id say 10:00 location, it is also hard, and not moveable. Lymph nodes possibly, or would that have been known in the sono?
I have occassional fevers still, although when I do take my temp, no fevers register. I get chills, can feel it in my eyes, and body is warming, but tempt doesnt show a change, at least the last few times it has happened. Fatigue still. Since May I have lost a total of 8lbs. Im extrememly small structured as it is, 90lbs is my normal weight for the past 10 years, so down 8lbs is a big deal for my body. I am jungry at certain times, but when I eat, I fill up fast, so I would say yes, loss of appetite. It is definitely not normal anyway. I was having night sweats, not so much that i've notices right now, but my symptoms seem to change from week to week. Last week I woke up in the middle of the night with my hip, knee, and ankle in severe pain. I got up to get Tylenol, but the pain kept me from walking. That hasnt happened since then. (My husband got me the tylenol!)
The lump does not hurt/cause any type of pain. However, when it was examined the first time, pressed and moved around, the next day it was painful because it bruised. That only lasted 2 days, and then was "normal", just a lump. This lump i would say is at my 1:00, left breast side, I found another last night in the shower at id say 10:00 location, it is also hard, and not moveable. Lymph nodes possibly, or would that have been known in the sono?
I have occassional fevers still, although when I do take my temp, no fevers register. I get chills, can feel it in my eyes, and body is warming, but tempt doesnt show a change, at least the last few times it has happened. Fatigue still. Since May I have lost a total of 8lbs. Im extrememly small structured as it is, 90lbs is my normal weight for the past 10 years, so down 8lbs is a big deal for my body. I am jungry at certain times, but when I eat, I fill up fast, so I would say yes, loss of appetite. It is definitely not normal anyway. I was having night sweats, not so much that i've notices right now, but my symptoms seem to change from week to week. Last week I woke up in the middle of the night with my hip, knee, and ankle in severe pain. I got up to get Tylenol, but the pain kept me from walking. That hasnt happened since then. (My husband got me the tylenol!)
Brief Answer:
Please, get a comprehensive evaluation!
Detailed Answer:
Hi and thanks for this follow up information.
I am increasingly concerned about the symptoms and these lumps that you have reported. A swollen bone/cartilage would not produce symptoms of weight loss(approximately 10%) and night fevers. I would like to know that you have had an exhaustive evaluation and even biopsy of one of these lumps to make sure that we are not missing out on something here.
I am pretty convinced there is an ongoing generalized inflammatory reaction going on. What th exact cause is seems difficult to tell at this time but i would want further and more detailed investigations to address this. Multiple lumps in the same area to me is no good news associated with these symptoms.
I hope this helps. I wish you well. Provide me with updates as you get a more comprehensive and exhaustive evaluation.
Please, get a comprehensive evaluation!
Detailed Answer:
Hi and thanks for this follow up information.
I am increasingly concerned about the symptoms and these lumps that you have reported. A swollen bone/cartilage would not produce symptoms of weight loss(approximately 10%) and night fevers. I would like to know that you have had an exhaustive evaluation and even biopsy of one of these lumps to make sure that we are not missing out on something here.
I am pretty convinced there is an ongoing generalized inflammatory reaction going on. What th exact cause is seems difficult to tell at this time but i would want further and more detailed investigations to address this. Multiple lumps in the same area to me is no good news associated with these symptoms.
I hope this helps. I wish you well. Provide me with updates as you get a more comprehensive and exhaustive evaluation.
Note: Revert back with your gynae reports to get a clear medical analysis by our expert Gynecologic Oncologist. Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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