Have Hard Lump Under Collarbone And Abdomen. Looking Like Pimple. Should I Go For Medical Check Up?

Posted on Sun, 12 Aug 2012

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Sun, 12 Aug 2012 Answered on

Mon, 3 Sep 2012 Last reviewed on

Question : I am asking on behalf of my husband, who has had a hard(ish) lump just under his left collarbone for the past few years. It started out looking like a pimple, and then just got larger and harder (although not bony in feeling) and he plays with it all the time and refers to it affectionately as his 'third nipple' He now has a similar looking pimple down on his abdomen, which is not going away (he has had it for three weeks). He has seen two GPs who glanced at it briefly and told him not to worry, it was only a cyst. His father is currently suffering from non-hodgkins lymphoma and I am worried this might be the same thing. Where should I get him to go to be checked out or biopsied?

Answered by Dr. Ioan Dorian OANA (2 hours later)

Hello,

Thanks for your query.

If "generally healthy" that you have mentioned in the medical history means that your husband has not other symptoms, I agree with those two GPs and you should not worry.

Not each lump (pimple) should be biopsied and the fact that his father is currently suffering from non-hodgkins lymphoma does not mean that he has to suffer from the same thing.

Also, the way you have described the lump and the pimple does not suggest any kind of lymphoma, so my advice is to calm down and only if he has new symptoms, he should be checked further.

If you have any more queries, feel free to ask.

Regards
Dr. Dorian Oana MD, PhD

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Ioan Dorian OANA (37 minutes later)

If we decide to get the bigger one biopsied, where would be the best place to go? Our GP? a dermatologist? an oncologist?

Answered by Dr. Ioan Dorian OANA (7 minutes later)

Hello,

Thanks for your reply.

If you decide to get the bigger one biopsied, I recommend you to go to a dermatologist.

If you have any more queries, feel free to ask.

Regards
Dr. Dorian Oana MD, PhD

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Ioan Dorian OANA (1 minute later)

Thank you very much for your feedback.

Answered by Dr. Ioan Dorian OANA (32 minutes later)

You're welcome.

At your disposal,

Dr. Dorian Oana MD, PhD

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar