
How Can Swelling On My Upper Left Collarbone Be Diagnosed And Treated?

Question: I have a swelling on my upper left collarbone. It swells and goes down at times. I'm worried whether it could be cancer like lymphoma?
Brief Answer:
Please give additional information, post reports of investigations if done
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Please give some additional information for me to assist you better:
Your age and gender please.
Since when is the swelling coming and going?
Any fever, loss of appetite, weakness or fatigue?
Is the lump palpable? If palpable, please tell me the size, shape, consistency, any tenderness? Is is freely mobile?
Does it increase on hard/harsh coughing?
Any other information please.
Awaiting.
Please give additional information, post reports of investigations if done
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Please give some additional information for me to assist you better:
Your age and gender please.
Since when is the swelling coming and going?
Any fever, loss of appetite, weakness or fatigue?
Is the lump palpable? If palpable, please tell me the size, shape, consistency, any tenderness? Is is freely mobile?
Does it increase on hard/harsh coughing?
Any other information please.
Awaiting.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar


Hi Doctor,
I'm 33 years old female. This swelling comes and goes for nearly 2 or 3 years. It swells only on my left side. It feels puffy but just behind that area (i'd say my shoulder ) is very painful if I touch. If I rest I see the pain and swelling goes down. But if I do any work from my left hand like carrying something etc then I notice this puffiness. It doesn't look hard. It feels soft. I did a routine blood test and chest x ray and they said I have ion deficiency anemic because my heamoglomin level is low but x ray seems normal.
I have reattached the photo for your kind attention
I would also like to mention that I have asthma, excema and raynauds condition
I don't have fever or loss of appetite but I do feel tired and at times i feel pain in my joints and muscles.
I'm 33 years old female. This swelling comes and goes for nearly 2 or 3 years. It swells only on my left side. It feels puffy but just behind that area (i'd say my shoulder ) is very painful if I touch. If I rest I see the pain and swelling goes down. But if I do any work from my left hand like carrying something etc then I notice this puffiness. It doesn't look hard. It feels soft. I did a routine blood test and chest x ray and they said I have ion deficiency anemic because my heamoglomin level is low but x ray seems normal.
I have reattached the photo for your kind attention
I would also like to mention that I have asthma, excema and raynauds condition
I don't have fever or loss of appetite but I do feel tired and at times i feel pain in my joints and muscles.
Brief Answer:
As detailed below.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
It is suggestive of sub-acromial bursitis related to the structure you explained so well. This is soft and can reduce and increase as you explained.
Another possible causes are lymph nodes or some cyst.
I would advise you the following:
Take an anti-inflammatory medications that suits you.
Do not put exertion of the affected area, avoid any stress that you know of increasing the pain and swelling.
Ultrasonography of the affected area and FNAC helps in proper diagnosis and further investigations like MRI are done if necessary.
Relevant tests of blood.
An opinion of the Specialist as per the cause found will help confirmation of the diagnosis and further management.
Please get all these things done as give me feedback.
Take care.
Feel free to ask for further relevant queries if you feel that there is a gap of communication.
As detailed below.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
It is suggestive of sub-acromial bursitis related to the structure you explained so well. This is soft and can reduce and increase as you explained.
Another possible causes are lymph nodes or some cyst.
I would advise you the following:
Take an anti-inflammatory medications that suits you.
Do not put exertion of the affected area, avoid any stress that you know of increasing the pain and swelling.
Ultrasonography of the affected area and FNAC helps in proper diagnosis and further investigations like MRI are done if necessary.
Relevant tests of blood.
An opinion of the Specialist as per the cause found will help confirmation of the diagnosis and further management.
Please get all these things done as give me feedback.
Take care.
Feel free to ask for further relevant queries if you feel that there is a gap of communication.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar


So will there be a possibility of lymphoma or any cancer?
Brief Answer:
Less possible, conformation needed.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Premature to say just on history and photos, as this needs further evaluation.
The points of increase and reduction in site for almost 3 years without any obvious changes or more symptoms for such a long time goes against cancer or lymphoma.
So not to worry till the reports are available.
Do not worry at the moment.
Take care.
Please give feedback once the final diagnosis is made.
With Regards.
Less possible, conformation needed.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Premature to say just on history and photos, as this needs further evaluation.
The points of increase and reduction in site for almost 3 years without any obvious changes or more symptoms for such a long time goes against cancer or lymphoma.
So not to worry till the reports are available.
Do not worry at the moment.
Take care.
Please give feedback once the final diagnosis is made.
With Regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar


Sorry doctor, one more question, my recent blood test say i'm anemic. Will the doctor be able to identify any cancer symptoms or abnormalities through those routine test? Also he mentioned my d dimer is higher than normal but it is reduced compared to last time. They did a lung scan to check for blood clot but it came out as normal. Will that be any indication for cancer to have high d dimer?
Brief Answer:
As detailed.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
No problem, please ask as many questions as needed, we are here to assist you the best possible.
Blood tests for ‘tumor markers’ can only tell about a possibility of cancer. You need to discuss further with your Doctor to get these done.
Routine tests will not help much as anemia and such things can have multiple problems.
D-dimer tests is more related to prognosis of diagnosed cancers.
I hope this answer helps you.
Please go for specific tests that helps in diagnosis or ruling-out.
Take care.
Please feel free to ask for further relevant queries if you feel that there is a gap of communication.
As detailed.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
No problem, please ask as many questions as needed, we are here to assist you the best possible.
Blood tests for ‘tumor markers’ can only tell about a possibility of cancer. You need to discuss further with your Doctor to get these done.
Routine tests will not help much as anemia and such things can have multiple problems.
D-dimer tests is more related to prognosis of diagnosed cancers.
I hope this answer helps you.
Please go for specific tests that helps in diagnosis or ruling-out.
Take care.
Please feel free to ask for further relevant queries if you feel that there is a gap of communication.
Note: For further queries related to kidney problems Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

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