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I Have A Firm Lump Located In The Fold Between
Question: I have a firm lump located in the fold between my ear and my skull. It feels like it is firmly attached to the base of my ear. It feels rubbery, almost like the cartilage in an ear or nose. I can wiggle it, but it is attached. It is round and almost flat. It is completely smooth.
I recently had some pain behind my ear (aching), but now I just have this lump. It is currently painless. I have another lump behind my other ear, but it is not as large. I'd say the lump in question is about a centimeter long.
It is possible that I have had it all my life, but unlikely. I am familiar with my body.
I have no other symptoms. I have not recently been sick, but I was recently under a lot of stress.
I've had two NPs tell me that it is nothing to worry about. One of them even said they thought it was cartilage. However, I am worried, and I would like a second opinion.
What are the chances that this is cancerous?
I recently had some pain behind my ear (aching), but now I just have this lump. It is currently painless. I have another lump behind my other ear, but it is not as large. I'd say the lump in question is about a centimeter long.
It is possible that I have had it all my life, but unlikely. I am familiar with my body.
I have no other symptoms. I have not recently been sick, but I was recently under a lot of stress.
I've had two NPs tell me that it is nothing to worry about. One of them even said they thought it was cartilage. However, I am worried, and I would like a second opinion.
What are the chances that this is cancerous?
Brief Answer:
sebaceous cyst or lymph node. not cancer at all surely.
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome to Ask A Doctor service.
I have read your query and evaluated attached photo image of the swelling behind ear.
* As per my surgical experience, the current issue is most likely due to soft tissue lesion
in form of non specific lymph node enlargement or sebaceous cyst ( which are smooth
in consistency and you can wiggle it ) ; cartilage swelling is less likely.
There are absolutely no chances of cancer in this swelling.
* As rightly said by other consultants before, there is no issue to get panic for the same,
just keep a watch over the progress of size, any redness over the surface or other
changes.
* In certain cases, I do recommend a soft tissue sonography evaluation, but in your case
it is not mandatory at this stage.
Hope this will help you to understand more precisely the case.
Do feel free to discuss further regarding the same.
Wish you best health.
Regards.
Dr Bhagyesh ( MS - consultant surgeon )
sebaceous cyst or lymph node. not cancer at all surely.
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome to Ask A Doctor service.
I have read your query and evaluated attached photo image of the swelling behind ear.
* As per my surgical experience, the current issue is most likely due to soft tissue lesion
in form of non specific lymph node enlargement or sebaceous cyst ( which are smooth
in consistency and you can wiggle it ) ; cartilage swelling is less likely.
There are absolutely no chances of cancer in this swelling.
* As rightly said by other consultants before, there is no issue to get panic for the same,
just keep a watch over the progress of size, any redness over the surface or other
changes.
* In certain cases, I do recommend a soft tissue sonography evaluation, but in your case
it is not mandatory at this stage.
Hope this will help you to understand more precisely the case.
Do feel free to discuss further regarding the same.
Wish you best health.
Regards.
Dr Bhagyesh ( MS - consultant surgeon )
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj
Answered by
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