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What Causes A Lump Above The Ankles In A Child?

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Posted on Wed, 7 Oct 2015
Question: 3 year old granddaughter has a large lump above her ankle. First of the year it was so tiny it had to be pointed out on x-ray. Now it has grown so fast it is like another ankle above her real ankle. Doctors are setting up specialist appointments but will not speculate. She was sent to a specialist the first of the year but he just said her pain (she is pretty tough, not a complainer) was because she was tired. Needless to say, we don't have any confidence in that doctor. He did not even want to follow up with the child then nor now. She complains about hurting, not every day, but enough. What are the possibilities? We want to be prepared and give her the best care.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Grzegorz Stanko (21 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Rhabdomyosarcoma is possible.

Detailed Answer:
Hello!

Thank you for the query.

Can you please attach her last x-ray? This will allow to give valuable answer. Fast growing tumor in such location can be malignant. Rhabdomyosarcoma is the most common type of such tumor (however it is very rare what allows to believe the tumor is benign).
If the tumor is not bone attached and build of bone, wont be visible in the x-ray. That is why MRI should be done.
I suggest you to do not wait with it. Fast diagnostic is necessary.

Hope this will help. Feel free to ask further questions.
Regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Grzegorz Stanko (6 hours later)
The doctor who did not want to follow up said something about the growth plates...the lump is in the bone...not attached. That doctor said it was encapsulated and he was not worried. We think he missed this altogether. What is the treatment for your diagnosis?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Grzegorz Stanko (13 hours later)
Brief Answer:
This is rather benign tumor.

Detailed Answer:
Well, if this tumor is in the bone and is encapsulated, rhabdomyosarcoma is not the case. It can be just a benign bone tumor. But as it is large and gives pain, surgical removal of it is the right treatment. Orthopedist should see her.
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Grzegorz Stanko

General Surgeon

Practicing since :2008

Answered : 5797 Questions

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What Causes A Lump Above The Ankles In A Child?

Brief Answer: Rhabdomyosarcoma is possible. Detailed Answer: Hello! Thank you for the query. Can you please attach her last x-ray? This will allow to give valuable answer. Fast growing tumor in such location can be malignant. Rhabdomyosarcoma is the most common type of such tumor (however it is very rare what allows to believe the tumor is benign). If the tumor is not bone attached and build of bone, wont be visible in the x-ray. That is why MRI should be done. I suggest you to do not wait with it. Fast diagnostic is necessary. Hope this will help. Feel free to ask further questions. Regards.