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Suggest Treatment For A Lump On The Top Of The Left Rib Cage

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Posted on Thu, 7 Jul 2016
Question: I have a mass on top of my left lower ribs - side/back
This oval/sausage shaped lump was not there 42 hours ago, has grown quickly since i first saw it a day ago, its physically visible
I have not knocked that area in any way, it has appeared out of no where. I can also feel it there even when im not touching it.
It is at least 2-3 inches long if not more and is now starting to cause me some discomfort, but not pain.
I saw a doctor today about it, because something you see everywhere is early detection and if something is out of the ordinary get it looked at.
This doctor made me feel like i was a hypocondriact (refused to actually feel where the lump is) and kept saying that it is my rib. Im not an idiot and know for a fact that it isnt my rib. So she gave me a referral to get an x-ray so i could "prove her wrong". To get home and find that what she wrote on the referral was "Prominent 11th rib?" I feel like i should get a second opinion due to the fact that although the lump is most likely not harmful to my health at all!, i would still like to know where it came from and why its there.
Image shows how it looked after 24 hours
doctor
Answered by Dr. Grzegorz Stanko (18 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Please give some more information.

Detailed Answer:
Hello!

Thank you for the query.

I need a little more information to answer your question.
Is it soft or hard like a bone? Does it move when you take a deep breath (like the rest of ribs?). Have you been coughing recently?

Regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Follow up: Dr. Grzegorz Stanko (4 minutes later)
It is soft-medium. Not hard at all though when i feel it, it doesnt seem to move like other lumps ive had under my skin.
When i breath it doesnt move with my rib cage
I havent had a cough for over 6 months. This lump to me is very out of the ordinary and i cant understand why it has popped up. I havent done any vigorous exercise in the last month and definitelt havent knocked near the area recently

This probably isnt relevant but i have Nodules on my thyroid that i have been monitoring through ultrasounds for the last 3-4 years, so i thought it was just a good idea to see a doctor and know what is going on with my body incase this is something else i need to monitor as well
doctor
Answered by Dr. Grzegorz Stanko (20 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Soft tissues ultrasound should be done.

Detailed Answer:
If its not bone-hard, than it is not a rib. Moreover, ribs move when breathing. And ribs do not appear in two days unless they are fractured.
There is a rule that when a lump appears quickly, it must be removed and tested. Its because malignant tumors grows very fast. Lipomas (benign tumors), grow slowly.

But I do not say its something serious. I am unable to palpate it, so its hard to give precise answer. For sure, what you should do is to have soft tissues ultrasound. It will answer all your questions. With this test we are able to distinguish bone, fatty tissue and other type of tumors.

Thyroid has nothing to do with this lump.
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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Answered by
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Dr. Grzegorz Stanko

General Surgeon

Practicing since :2008

Answered : 5798 Questions

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Suggest Treatment For A Lump On The Top Of The Left Rib Cage

Brief Answer: Please give some more information. Detailed Answer: Hello! Thank you for the query. I need a little more information to answer your question. Is it soft or hard like a bone? Does it move when you take a deep breath (like the rest of ribs?). Have you been coughing recently? Regards.