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What Does A Lump Below Sternum Indicate?
Question: Hi. I recently (about a week ago) discovered a lump that appears to be on my xiphoid process, just below my sternum. It feels hard and hurts if pressed on. I've been experiencing moderate discomfort in the area, especially when standing or sitting up. I went to a doctor on Friday who looked at it and said that it seemed like it was inflamed because of a possibly injury (I had been moving some things for my dad on December 26th that were very heavy). He said to wait a couple weeks and come back to see how it is progessing, but he didn't think it was cancer at all. I went back in today, because the pain and pressure were getting worse and I got another doctor who seemed to think that it's possible that it is some kind of growth. He said it was possibly a lipotoma or something, but said he couldn't rule out cancer. He scheduled a CT scan, but it could take a couple of days to get me in and I'm freaking out and looking for another opinion on the matter. My first doctor was pretty convinced that it would be an extremely unlikely place to get a tumor and didn't seem to think it was worth worrying about. I am a very anxious person and I'm having a hard time not being really scared right now.
Brief Answer:
May be Chondritis ( Inflammation )
Detailed Answer:
Hi.
Thanks for your query and I can understand the anxiety you must be going through.
Read and understood the problems.
To recapitulate:
Male/ 31 - worked on Dec 26 - lump 1 week ago - on xiphoid - hard and tender - discomfort on standing or sitting up - Consulted first Doctor on Fri - says inflammation - relates to possible injury - asks to wait - does not think it is cancer - worsening pain and pressure leads to for a second visit - another Doctor - thinks growth - adv CT - takes a couple of days -wants another opinion - anxiety...
Well, this is in fact a place, where I have not heard of having cancer.
With the history of work you did on Dec 26, there is a history of possible strain- but should have been experience within a few days not so late.
Xiphisterun being cartilage in nature is known to have a condition called chondritis, that is inflammation and swelling and tenderness and hardness as you are experiencing.
So do not worry so much, because anxiety and stress are known to increase such inflammation.
I would advise in such a circumstance the following :::
Get the anti-inflammatory medicines like ibuprofen or whichever suit you or would have been prescribed to you.
Apply warm compresses.
Ask for oral steroids if you are not a diabetic.
Avoid any strenuous activity which stretches on this point.
Take a rest if possible.
Undergo CT scan as you have already been advised, so that the condition gets more clearer.
I hope, this answer helps you.
Please feel free to ask for more if you need to or if you feel there is a gap-of-communication.
May be Chondritis ( Inflammation )
Detailed Answer:
Hi.
Thanks for your query and I can understand the anxiety you must be going through.
Read and understood the problems.
To recapitulate:
Male/ 31 - worked on Dec 26 - lump 1 week ago - on xiphoid - hard and tender - discomfort on standing or sitting up - Consulted first Doctor on Fri - says inflammation - relates to possible injury - asks to wait - does not think it is cancer - worsening pain and pressure leads to for a second visit - another Doctor - thinks growth - adv CT - takes a couple of days -wants another opinion - anxiety...
Well, this is in fact a place, where I have not heard of having cancer.
With the history of work you did on Dec 26, there is a history of possible strain- but should have been experience within a few days not so late.
Xiphisterun being cartilage in nature is known to have a condition called chondritis, that is inflammation and swelling and tenderness and hardness as you are experiencing.
So do not worry so much, because anxiety and stress are known to increase such inflammation.
I would advise in such a circumstance the following :::
Get the anti-inflammatory medicines like ibuprofen or whichever suit you or would have been prescribed to you.
Apply warm compresses.
Ask for oral steroids if you are not a diabetic.
Avoid any strenuous activity which stretches on this point.
Take a rest if possible.
Undergo CT scan as you have already been advised, so that the condition gets more clearer.
I hope, this answer helps you.
Please feel free to ask for more if you need to or if you feel there is a gap-of-communication.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thanks for the response. As a folliw up question, the area of the lump feels quite long. Its about two inches (im roughly 5'10, if that makes a difference) im unsure how long your xiphoid is supposed to be, or if it elongated upon inflammation, but it seemed long to me. So i am slightly unsire if the lump is directly on my xiphoid or not, the first foctor certainly seemed to think it was. Thsnks again fir your response
Brief Answer:
Xiphoids are not this long
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your feedback.
2 inches is long enough to think of further.
Xiphoids are not this long.
It is possible that the inflammation around might have caused it to appear big.
Anyways CT scan can certainly throw more light on it.
Are you taking any medicines and continue the rest of the advise as given above.
Do no worry, let us see what the CT has to say.
You can certainly ask for a referral a consultation with a Surgeon after CT scan , if needed.
Xiphoids are not this long
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your feedback.
2 inches is long enough to think of further.
Xiphoids are not this long.
It is possible that the inflammation around might have caused it to appear big.
Anyways CT scan can certainly throw more light on it.
Are you taking any medicines and continue the rest of the advise as given above.
Do no worry, let us see what the CT has to say.
You can certainly ask for a referral a consultation with a Surgeon after CT scan , if needed.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Im taking advil and trying to rest, which is difficult because i am so anxious. If it is not just inflamnation, what could it be?
Brief Answer:
Let us not speculate as CT will help ... Do not increase anxiety
Detailed Answer:
You have to take Advil at least three times a day.
Being anxious should impel you to take more rest.
If it is not just an inflammation- what could it be ? ::
Let us wait for the Ct scan report.
Why to speculate and increase the anxiety.
One thing is most probable that this is not the site of cancer and cancer do not develop just within a week and usually not painful or tender in the initial stages.
If CT scan is suggestive of some mass, FNAC can also be done to confirm further what it is ...
Let us not speculate as CT will help ... Do not increase anxiety
Detailed Answer:
You have to take Advil at least three times a day.
Being anxious should impel you to take more rest.
If it is not just an inflammation- what could it be ? ::
Let us wait for the Ct scan report.
Why to speculate and increase the anxiety.
One thing is most probable that this is not the site of cancer and cancer do not develop just within a week and usually not painful or tender in the initial stages.
If CT scan is suggestive of some mass, FNAC can also be done to confirm further what it is ...
Note: For further inquiries on surgery procedure and its risks or complications book an appointment now
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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