What Causes A Lump On The Upper Back?

Posted on Thu, 12 Jan 2017

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Thu, 12 Jan 2017 Answered on

Thu, 2 Feb 2017 Last reviewed on

Question : So I asked yesterday about my daughter, she's 10. I found a hard bony lump near her spine. Anyway, I took her to the doctor today and they did xrays, nothing showed up on the xrays. Next step is an MRI, the doctor said he isn't concerned but wants to do a full work up. My question is, would tumors be seen on an xray? He said most tumors would have shown up. He mentioned a bone island, cyst, or calcified cyst. I am still worried and will be until the mri!!

Answered by Dr. Deepak Sundriyal (23 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Hello dear. Soft tissue mass may not appear on xray.

Detailed Answer:
Hello dear. I have gone through the details. I understand your concern. So it has a bony consistency but it might not be a bony lesion. Sometimes soft tissue lesion may have a bony consistency and so xray doesnt pick them. Answer is mri scan and if there is something then a needle biopsy may be required.
Thanks and regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Nagamani Ng

Follow up: Dr. Deepak Sundriyal (10 minutes later)

What kind of soft tissue mass is found on the side of the spine? It's about the size of a quarter and really feels like a bone. Worried mama...

Answered by Dr. Deepak Sundriyal (5 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Hello. It can be a tumor

Detailed Answer:
Hello dear. It can be tumor. May be benign or malignant. Or even myositis ossificans.
Thanks and regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Nagamani Ng

Follow up: Dr. Deepak Sundriyal (13 minutes later)

Great that didn't calm my fear at all even though the doctor doesn't seem concerned. Basically you are saying she probably has a tumor?

Answered by Dr. Deepak Sundriyal (9 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
It may or may not be

Detailed Answer:
Hello dear. The definite diagnosis of tumor cant be given without a needle biopsy. Imaging can only guide partially but the final call is by biopsy. So there is actually nothing to worry prior to mri and biopsy report.
Thanks and regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Remy Koshy