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What Causes Hard Lump On Left Side Of Stomach Near Waist Line?

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Posted on Tue, 3 Feb 2015
Question: I found a hard lump in the left side of my stomach near the waist line. It's slightly tender when touching it but it not painful. It feels larger than a silver dollar.
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Answered by Dr. Grzegorz Stanko (40 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Soft tissues ultrasound will give the answer.

Detailed Answer:
Hello!

Thank you for the query.

Can you please attach a photo of it so I can give more precise answer?

A lump in this location can be a lymph node, hernia, lipoma or sebaceus cyst.

Lymph node is usually located in the groin area. It can get palpable when enlarged. Its enlargement can be caused by an inflammation in the close area or sometime tumor metastases (but this is generally very rare in this location)

Hernia gives a lump which is soft when touching it. Such lump gets smaller when pressing it and when lying down. When you cough, it should be more visible.

Most possible is lipoma or sebaceus cyst. Both are benign lumps of soft tissues. Both do not turn into a cancer. And both can be palpated as a rounded, painless and movable lump. Sebaceus cyst usually gives tine hole in the skin.

The best way to find out what it is, is to have soft tissues ultrasound.

Lipoma or cyst can be removed with small incision and local anesthesia. Lymph node should be consulted with hematologist. Hernia should be repaired by a general surgeon.

Hope this will help. Feel free to ask further questions.
Regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T
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Follow up: Dr. Grzegorz Stanko (1 hour later)
I thought about a picture but its not visible, and there are no marks of any kind. I forgot to add that it is rather deep under the skin and fat, and on the high section of the upper stomach (high waist region). It is about 2 inches or so above the belly button and at an angle to the left if that helps. I first felt it in the shower. I was concerned about either the colon or cysts on ovaries and uterus (family history on mom's side and my older sister) but of course I wasn't sure. I am 290 lbs so I wasn't sure if that can be a factor as well.

Thank you for your time.
XXXXXXX
doctor
Answered by Dr. Grzegorz Stanko (14 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Lipoma or sebaceus cyst is the most possible reason.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

It is impossible to palpate colon or ovaries through the abdominal wall. Especially at your weight. All you can palpate is fat and maybe the muscles surface. But you can not get any further.
As this is quite high, either lymph nodes or hernia are hardly possible. So lipoma or sebaceus cyst are the most possible reasons.

For colon diagnostics colonoscopy should be done. Especially if you are older than 50.
Ovaries can be checked with transvaginal ultrasound, abdominal CT and Ca 125 level (ovaries cancer marker).

Regards.
Note: For further inquiries on surgery procedure and its risks or complications book an appointment now

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T
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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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What Causes Hard Lump On Left Side Of Stomach Near Waist Line?

Brief Answer: Soft tissues ultrasound will give the answer. Detailed Answer: Hello! Thank you for the query. Can you please attach a photo of it so I can give more precise answer? A lump in this location can be a lymph node, hernia, lipoma or sebaceus cyst. Lymph node is usually located in the groin area. It can get palpable when enlarged. Its enlargement can be caused by an inflammation in the close area or sometime tumor metastases (but this is generally very rare in this location) Hernia gives a lump which is soft when touching it. Such lump gets smaller when pressing it and when lying down. When you cough, it should be more visible. Most possible is lipoma or sebaceus cyst. Both are benign lumps of soft tissues. Both do not turn into a cancer. And both can be palpated as a rounded, painless and movable lump. Sebaceus cyst usually gives tine hole in the skin. The best way to find out what it is, is to have soft tissues ultrasound. Lipoma or cyst can be removed with small incision and local anesthesia. Lymph node should be consulted with hematologist. Hernia should be repaired by a general surgeon. Hope this will help. Feel free to ask further questions. Regards.