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What Causes Immovable Lump On Lower Back?
Question: Hi,
I'm male, 26, and I've had a lump on my lower back for the past 6-7 years. It's located on the left side, right beside the "Dimples of Venus" location. It's about 5cm long, 2-3 cm wide, and bumpy, with a hilly surface that rises about 1 cm high at the peak. It's immovable and rock hard, but painless.
Initially I had severe back pain in that area and had X-rays and an ultrasound, but it appears the results didn't find anything harmful.
Recently, I had a flu/soar throat flare up that made my lymph nodes in the neck and behind the ear on one side swell. The two lymph nodes behind the ear have completely gone back to normal, but one lymph node in the neck remains a small pea size after the swelling went down; it's been about four weeks now, and I've just been taking some Advil and drinking lots of fluids, no antibiotics.
I am nervous that this lymph node flare up could be something more sinister. Could the lump on the my back that is immovable and hard be dangerous? It's not causing any pain. Is there a form of cancer that develops in that region? Could it be bone cancer that is spreading to the lymph nodes?
I've also had a Pilonidal cyst infection at round about the same time 6-7 years ago, after injuring my tailbone. I treated it with antibiotics rather than surgery and it hasn't bothered me all these years. I was wondering if the lump on my lower could be a Pilonidal cyst. The picture below shows it located right about where my lump is located, but most people mention Pilonidal cyst in relation to the tailbone. Is this picture accurate:
http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/randy28abig.jpg
Is the cyst different from the dimple and people use 'cyst' as an umbrella term for both?
Some clarification would be helpful.
I'm male, 26, and I've had a lump on my lower back for the past 6-7 years. It's located on the left side, right beside the "Dimples of Venus" location. It's about 5cm long, 2-3 cm wide, and bumpy, with a hilly surface that rises about 1 cm high at the peak. It's immovable and rock hard, but painless.
Initially I had severe back pain in that area and had X-rays and an ultrasound, but it appears the results didn't find anything harmful.
Recently, I had a flu/soar throat flare up that made my lymph nodes in the neck and behind the ear on one side swell. The two lymph nodes behind the ear have completely gone back to normal, but one lymph node in the neck remains a small pea size after the swelling went down; it's been about four weeks now, and I've just been taking some Advil and drinking lots of fluids, no antibiotics.
I am nervous that this lymph node flare up could be something more sinister. Could the lump on the my back that is immovable and hard be dangerous? It's not causing any pain. Is there a form of cancer that develops in that region? Could it be bone cancer that is spreading to the lymph nodes?
I've also had a Pilonidal cyst infection at round about the same time 6-7 years ago, after injuring my tailbone. I treated it with antibiotics rather than surgery and it hasn't bothered me all these years. I was wondering if the lump on my lower could be a Pilonidal cyst. The picture below shows it located right about where my lump is located, but most people mention Pilonidal cyst in relation to the tailbone. Is this picture accurate:
http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/randy28abig.jpg
Is the cyst different from the dimple and people use 'cyst' as an umbrella term for both?
Some clarification would be helpful.
Brief Answer:
pilonidal cyst, tail bone and lump
Detailed Answer:
Hi!
Welcome to health care magic!
I am Dr. Saddiq Ul Abidin. I have read your problem in detail and will try to help you in best way possible.
It is sad to know that you had to undergo a lot much, and must have been an issue of concern for you lately.
Your question is much detailed and cover multiple areas. First of all we need to understand that the lymph nodes in your neck which settled with time, Is a healthy sign and often after acute infections may present with my phone nodes which normally regress once infection settles.
Yes persisting lymph node is an issue of concern and for that you may need to have a fine needle aspiration biopsy and then get histopathology done.
The raise lesion you have mentioned, can be a naevus, benign growth, or skin thickening but final verdict can be given on getting a biopsy. You need to understand one thing that the reason why am I emphasizing upon biopsies more is that these are almost 100 percent reliable means and most conclusive of all then ultrasound and general examination superficially.
The cyst, which recovered with medicines, you need to have it examined by a surgeon from time to time and if it shows signs of discharge or infection that may be needed to be repaired surgically.
The possibility of bone cancer merely on the basis of lymph node swelling is a very premature verdict. The most appropriate way is to get both biopsies done. That is safest and most sensible approach.
Hope this has answered your query, if you have any more questions, feel free to ask. kindly rate me before closing, and leave your feedback if possible.
Regards,
Dr. Saddiq Ul abidin.
pilonidal cyst, tail bone and lump
Detailed Answer:
Hi!
Welcome to health care magic!
I am Dr. Saddiq Ul Abidin. I have read your problem in detail and will try to help you in best way possible.
It is sad to know that you had to undergo a lot much, and must have been an issue of concern for you lately.
Your question is much detailed and cover multiple areas. First of all we need to understand that the lymph nodes in your neck which settled with time, Is a healthy sign and often after acute infections may present with my phone nodes which normally regress once infection settles.
Yes persisting lymph node is an issue of concern and for that you may need to have a fine needle aspiration biopsy and then get histopathology done.
The raise lesion you have mentioned, can be a naevus, benign growth, or skin thickening but final verdict can be given on getting a biopsy. You need to understand one thing that the reason why am I emphasizing upon biopsies more is that these are almost 100 percent reliable means and most conclusive of all then ultrasound and general examination superficially.
The cyst, which recovered with medicines, you need to have it examined by a surgeon from time to time and if it shows signs of discharge or infection that may be needed to be repaired surgically.
The possibility of bone cancer merely on the basis of lymph node swelling is a very premature verdict. The most appropriate way is to get both biopsies done. That is safest and most sensible approach.
Hope this has answered your query, if you have any more questions, feel free to ask. kindly rate me before closing, and leave your feedback if possible.
Regards,
Dr. Saddiq Ul abidin.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
Hi, thank you for the answer.
I'm still a little confused. The lump on my lower back in not on the skin. It's deep under the skin and fat. It feels as if it's attached to the bone. It's irregular in shape. It doesn't hurt no matter how hard I press it.
Could it be a lipoma? I have several lipoma in my stomach and chest, but those are round and I can move them around under the skin.
This one on my back I can't move. It feels like a bone. It is rock hard. It's been about 7 years since I've had it, and it's always been hard and immovable, like a bone.
is a biopsy a must for this? would the x-rays and ultrasound I had 7 years ago not detected anything cancerous?
I'm still a little confused. The lump on my lower back in not on the skin. It's deep under the skin and fat. It feels as if it's attached to the bone. It's irregular in shape. It doesn't hurt no matter how hard I press it.
Could it be a lipoma? I have several lipoma in my stomach and chest, but those are round and I can move them around under the skin.
This one on my back I can't move. It feels like a bone. It is rock hard. It's been about 7 years since I've had it, and it's always been hard and immovable, like a bone.
is a biopsy a must for this? would the x-rays and ultrasound I had 7 years ago not detected anything cancerous?
Brief Answer:
further clarification
Detailed Answer:
Hi! Thanks for sharing the details. The symptoms which you have described now, are suggestive of connective tissue outgrowth like of cartilage and less likely to be a lipoma.
You can opt for less invasive investigation modalities first like CT abdomen and pelvis with contrast or MRI.
If both are not suggestive then you can go for the biopsy option but in either case, it needs your attention right now and please even it is nothing, still I would never suggest you to take any chances. Just visit a surgeon as soon as possible and get it sorted out.
Though it seems odd to mention it, but rate me and leave a review before closing. That would be really encouraging. Regards.
further clarification
Detailed Answer:
Hi! Thanks for sharing the details. The symptoms which you have described now, are suggestive of connective tissue outgrowth like of cartilage and less likely to be a lipoma.
You can opt for less invasive investigation modalities first like CT abdomen and pelvis with contrast or MRI.
If both are not suggestive then you can go for the biopsy option but in either case, it needs your attention right now and please even it is nothing, still I would never suggest you to take any chances. Just visit a surgeon as soon as possible and get it sorted out.
Though it seems odd to mention it, but rate me and leave a review before closing. That would be really encouraging. 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
Answered by
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