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What Causes A Lump On The Upper Back?

Posted on Thu, 2 Feb 2017

Question: My daughter is 10 and tonight while putting lotion on her back I noticed a bony type lump next to her upper spine. She said it doesn't hurt, it's maybe the size of a marble. I can only feel/see it when she is bending over, if she is standing straight I can't notice it. We plan on taking her to the doctor as soon as possible, any thoughts on what this could be? Worried mom here!! Dr Google says cancer and I am worried sick!

Answered by Dr. Eric Goldstein (7 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Lump

Detailed Answer:
Hello. I just read through your question.
The most likely diagnosis is a harmless lymph node. These are typically painless and often movable under the skin. It's good you are having it examined . This will be very reassuring.

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

Follow up: Dr. Eric Goldstein (4 minutes later)

Do you have lymphs near your spine between your shoulder blades? the lump feels bony and doesn't move.

Also it's right next to her spine

Answered by Dr. Eric Goldstein (1 minute later)

Brief Answer:
Nodes

Detailed Answer:
Nodes run in chains up and down our spines, necks, armpits, thighs, groin area, etc.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Eric Goldstein (2 minutes later)

So this bony feeling lump on the side of her spine could just be a lymph node? I can't move it though? She says it doesn't hurt, don't lymph nodes hurt when inflammed? She does have a patch of ringworm on that same side on her front.

Answered by Dr. Eric Goldstein (2 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Follow up

Detailed Answer:
Lymph nodes can be inflamed without pain. Until the exam, we won't know for sure, of course. But until then, what you describe can still be explained by a lymph node.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Eric Goldstein (4 minutes later)

I'm sorry to keep asking questions, but are inflamed lymph nodes hard? and immobile? She is a healthy child, hardly ever sick except for this ring worm spot she has. Like I mentioned I can only see it if she's sitting or bending over. Are there any other things it could be besides a lymph node that are benign?

Answered by Dr. Eric Goldstein (2 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Follow up

Detailed Answer:
Inflamed lymph nodes are large. They are not necessarily hard.
Of what you are feeling directly over lies the spine, it can actually be a vertebrae. Meaning actual bone. This would explain why it is more prominent when sitting or bending over.
I'm not convinced the ringworm has anything to do with this.

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

Follow up: Dr. Eric Goldstein (31 minutes later)

It's right next to it, maybe even touching it, but not over her spine. Can one vertebrae be larger and i just never noticed this? I haven't read anything about feeling enlarged lymph nodes in the spine.

Answered by Dr. Eric Goldstein (1 minute later)

Brief Answer:
Follow up

Detailed Answer:
Yes. one can be larger than others.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Eric Goldstein (4 minutes later)

So I could just be feeling part of her vertebrae? One side could stick up more then the other? Thanks for all your help and answers, sorry to be a pain. What are the chances it's something bad?

Answered by Dr. Eric Goldstein (1 minute later)

Brief Answer:
follow up

Detailed Answer:
Yes. it could all be part of the vertebrae.
The examination will be definitive. The doctor will know immediately.

Note: For further queries related to your child health, Talk to a Pediatrician. Click here to Book a Consultation.

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