
Suggest Treatment For Hard Lump In Forearm

It doesn't hurt and over the years I tend to forget completely about it unless I am really into lifting weights when I'll notice it more, especially after my forearms are pumped from doing curls.
I don't think it has changed in size at all over the years.
Recently I read out about a friend of a friend being diagnosed with a Stage IV sarcoma (not sure where or the type), but that made me "remember" this forearm mass. I have since asked 3 different Dr's and they've told me not to worry about it. I am pretty sure they all suggested it could be a lipoma.
I also remember years ago (probably 5-6) showing it to a Dr. who also told me not to worry and didn't suggest any follow-ups. What concerns me is that when I read about Lipomas I read that they are usually soft and under the skin. This is definitely hard and feels deeper than the skin... and in the muscle.
One of the Dr's told me that I could get a MRI if I want to. I've decided that I will do that to play it safe, but I won't be able to get that scheduled for a little while and am really starting to worry.
I've since been reading about all the different types of sarcomas (liposarcomas, synovial, epitheliod, etc.) and have read about some being slow growing, painless, etc. Sites like the XXXXXXX Clinic suggest having a MRI for any lump that isn't clearly a lipoma examined.
This makes me wonder why the Dr's I've seen haven't suggested that right away? The MRI is coming from me persisting... Is there anything I'm not seeing that should make me worry less? As in, would I be very sick by now if this was a sarcoma and I've had it for at least 5 years??
Again, from what I can tell it hasn't grown and doesn't hurt on its own (I start to notice it if I keep pushing and prodding at it...).
I am becoming terrified that I could get this MRI and find out that this is in fact malignant (or suspected to be then confirmed with a biopsy) and that if I had done all of this YEARS ago I would've saved my life and now I could be out of luck.
Hoping for another opinion on this and potentially something positive that I'm not seeing... Thanks!
Hello dear. Please do not worry.
Detailed Answer:
First of all do not worry. A hard small lump in the are that you described is most likely a benign (not malignant lesion) condition for all practical purposes as it is there for long periods and is not growing.
Most common lesion can be cysts, fibrous tissues(fibromas), ganglions, nueromas, nuerofibromas, myolipomas, elastofibromas, cysts etc.
However there exists a very small possibility of a malignant tumor(but that is very very low).
Even if it is a malignant tumor, it is completely curable with surgical excision.
The definite answer will be provide by the biopsy and the MRI.
Still with the description, it is a benign lesion and you should not worry; however investigations are mandatory.
Thanks and Regards.


Do I need to be careful as to where my MRI is done? As in making sure the imaging center has oncologists on staff that work the radiologists? I read that on a sarcoma site... Or would you say that isn't necessary given your confidence that this is benign and just go with whatever imaging center is most convenient?
Lastly, I read about that some sarcomas can be very slow growing amd some of those sounded similar to mine (based on location on arm, in muscle, hard, age range, etc.).
What I dont know is how slow is "slow growing." I assume by your response that you would expect me to notice it growing by now after a minimun if 5-6 years... But can you give me a better understanding of how long it would take a "very slow growing" sarcoma to show signs of growth in a location like mine? I've always felt it pretty easily from the surface despite it feeling like it is in the muscle...
Basically does slow growing mean a year or two before noticeable growth or could it a lot longer like 5-10 years which would make me worry more?
Thanks!
Hello. Please be relax.
Detailed Answer:
Welcome back
See dear, in oncology we talk about benign lesion(absolutely harmless), indolent lesions(growing slowly in months to years.. optimum time period nobody knows) and aggressive ones(growing and spreading in weeks to months.
Your lesion falls in benign category as it appears or at the worst(if at all it is) in indolent.
So you need not to worry.
You can get your MRI from any good centre. Oncologist will have a role only after the reporting.
Hope it is clear.
Thanks n regards

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