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How Can A Lump On The Left Side Of The Chest Be Treated?
Posted on
Tue, 22 Aug 2017
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Tue, 22 Aug 2017
Answered on
Tue, 12 Sep 2017
Last reviewed on
Question : 32 - male - obese - asthmatic
For about a year I have had intermittent sharp chest pains. At the same time I found a lump on my left side a couple inches below my left breast. My doctor at the time physically investigated it and did not seem overly concerned. It is not painful or changing in color, etc. I had an X-ray done which did not show anything other than mild bronchitis typical for asthma patient.
Since that time I had to switch doctors. My new doctor read the radiologist report and speculated it is likely just cartilage as nothing was found on X-ray. I have investigated it further over the last year and lost some weight and trying to figure out what it is.
I am attaching a zip file full of pictures I took of it. You will note that the right side does not have the fatty mass. I can push in about a 1/2-1cm into the bump before hitting anything "hard". The fatty mass in that area seems quite dense and I can actually push it up my chest. When I push it up and hold hands on both sides the two sides do not seem to be that different. There seems to be a small subtle "bump" on the ribcage in the same place on both sides - maybe a bit larger on left side but hard to tell because I can only push lump up so far.
My question is what does that seem like to you? Should I go for another X-ray? An ultrasound? What can I suggest to my doctor to pursue further inquiry? Is it even warranted?
I forgot to ask could such a bump or fatty mass be causing any of the intermittent chest pains I've had?
I've done a cardiac workup with echocardigram, ECG, stress test, etc. because I am obese. So far it does not appear to be heart related.
For about a year I have had intermittent sharp chest pains. At the same time I found a lump on my left side a couple inches below my left breast. My doctor at the time physically investigated it and did not seem overly concerned. It is not painful or changing in color, etc. I had an X-ray done which did not show anything other than mild bronchitis typical for asthma patient.
Since that time I had to switch doctors. My new doctor read the radiologist report and speculated it is likely just cartilage as nothing was found on X-ray. I have investigated it further over the last year and lost some weight and trying to figure out what it is.
I am attaching a zip file full of pictures I took of it. You will note that the right side does not have the fatty mass. I can push in about a 1/2-1cm into the bump before hitting anything "hard". The fatty mass in that area seems quite dense and I can actually push it up my chest. When I push it up and hold hands on both sides the two sides do not seem to be that different. There seems to be a small subtle "bump" on the ribcage in the same place on both sides - maybe a bit larger on left side but hard to tell because I can only push lump up so far.
My question is what does that seem like to you? Should I go for another X-ray? An ultrasound? What can I suggest to my doctor to pursue further inquiry? Is it even warranted?
I forgot to ask could such a bump or fatty mass be causing any of the intermittent chest pains I've had?
I've done a cardiac workup with echocardigram, ECG, stress test, etc. because I am obese. So far it does not appear to be heart related.
Brief Answer:
Lipoma
Detailed Answer:
Dear sir,
I have gone through your question and I understand your concerns but I don't suggest that the lump is cartilagenous in nature as it would have appeared in the X-ray. However, the most common lump occurring in that area is lipoma which is a benign fatty tumor that carries no potential hazards except being infected that could lead to abcess formation. The treatement to lipoma is surgical excision in a minor operation.
Another possible causes is aortic aneurysm but this would have been a pulsating lump or liposarcoma which is a malignant tumor that would have been rapidly increasing in size.
I would recommend that you get an ultrasound followed by a CT scan on your abdomen to either confirm or exclude the presence of lipoma.
I hope you find this helpful
Lipoma
Detailed Answer:
Dear sir,
I have gone through your question and I understand your concerns but I don't suggest that the lump is cartilagenous in nature as it would have appeared in the X-ray. However, the most common lump occurring in that area is lipoma which is a benign fatty tumor that carries no potential hazards except being infected that could lead to abcess formation. The treatement to lipoma is surgical excision in a minor operation.
Another possible causes is aortic aneurysm but this would have been a pulsating lump or liposarcoma which is a malignant tumor that would have been rapidly increasing in size.
I would recommend that you get an ultrasound followed by a CT scan on your abdomen to either confirm or exclude the presence of lipoma.
I hope you find this helpful
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj
Answered by
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