What Causes Large Soft Lump On The Upper Back?

Posted on Fri, 24 Jun 2016

Question: I have a large soft lump on my upper back in mid section. I had it for many many years three Dr's said don't worry about it and never sent me for exams since it didn't bother me. Now years later it's larger and hurts.

Answered by Dr. T Chandrakant (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Most probably a lipoma or a sebaceous cyst

Detailed Answer:
Hi.
Thanks for your query.
To recapitulate: Female/57 - large soft lump on upper back in mid section - for may many years - 3 Doctors said not to worry - never sent you for exams - since it did not bother your too - but now years later it is larger and hurts ...

The most probable diagnosis are:
Infected sebaceous cyst
Lipoma

Both can be soft, XXXXXXX and painless to start with.
The appearance of pain and getting larger indicate an infection.

Your posting pictures would have helped me a lot.
Please give some details:
Is there any redness of the overlying skin.
Is it mobile?
Is there any dimple or a black spot on the skin with which it is attached to the skin?
Or the skin above moves easily over the swelling.

I would advise you the following:
Consult a General Surgeon, get an appointment for surgery.
Removal of such lump has 2 benefits:
- You get rid of the lump.
You get the correct histo-pathological diagnosis.

I hope this answer helps you, please feel free to ask for further relevant queries if you feel that thee is a gap of communication.

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

Follow up: Dr. T Chandrakant (1 hour later)

Hi, I have provided some attachments. Please review them.

Answered by Dr. T Chandrakant (15 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
difficult to say

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for the attachment.
difficult to say what it is.
Needs excision and histo-patho examination .

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

Follow up: Dr. T Chandrakant (1 hour later)

I went to urgent care and doctor said it was a soft mass. Sending me for ultrasound. I'm terrified of the word mass

Answered by Dr. T Chandrakant (10 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
No need to be terrified

Detailed Answer:
Please do not go by the word ''mass' or tumor as these do not signify anything serious or cancerous. This simply means a lump.
Since the history is of so long duration and has been gradually growing, usually it is not necessary to worry about it.
This is the right time to get it removed, as we discussed above so that you get rid of something that is not a normal part of the body and be assured of what it is by histo-pathological examination.
Please tell me the report of an ultrasound and the FNAC, fine needle aspiration cytology if done.

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

Follow up: Dr. T Chandrakant (13 hours later)

Hello I had my ultrasound yesterday but was called this morning to come back for additional tests. Now I'm really worried. Appt tomorrow

Answered by Dr. T Chandrakant (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
please give details in the follow up query.

Detailed Answer:
Hello.
Noted that you had ultrasound yesterday. And called you in the morning asking to come for additional tests.
I hope, they may be wanting to do FNAC or a second opinion.
May I please know what extra tests have they asked for?
Please do not worry. This may be just a lobulated lipoma or so.
Please tell me the reports and the details.
.......

You may please close this query and continue with the fresh query you have asked for. You may please rate this answer before closure of the discussion and can certainly contact me on the bellow link in future, whenever you may need me.
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Naveen Kumar

Follow up: Dr. T Chandrakant (7 minutes later)

It's a repeat of ultrasound she said. I just called and asked.

Answered by Dr. T Chandrakant (9 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Might be they have missed something

Detailed Answer:
Repeat of ultrasound does not necessarily mean anything serious.
If she had suspected something serious, might have asked you for further tests like FNAC.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee

Follow up: Dr. T Chandrakant (9 days later)

Hi, I have provided some attachments. Please review them.

Answered by Dr. T Chandrakant (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Lipoma - benign

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for the detailed report and it is suggestive of a lipoma.
This is benign and now no worries please.
Since the size is large 7X7X2.4 cm, it is better to get this removed whenever you are comfortable with surgery.

I hope this answer helps you. Please feel free to ask for further relevant queries.

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

Follow up: Dr. T Chandrakant (12 minutes later)

I thought lipomad were soft. Why does he day solid on report and can that be the cause of the pain I'm feeling in the area

Answered by Dr. T Chandrakant (16 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Solid against cystic as seen on ultrasound.

Detailed Answer:
Please do not get confused.
Soft and solid are different medical jargon.
Consistency is soft or hard.
Ultrasonography sees the lump as solid or cystic (with fluid).
The cause of the pain can be due to the compression on nearby structures.

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

Follow up: Dr. T Chandrakant (8 minutes later)

I have an appointment to see a general surgeon on XXXXXXX 6. So should I be concerned? I'm not clear what u meant by solid with fluid? How can he tell it's benign and can simple lipoma grow that large? I know I had it there for years but..

Answered by Dr. T Chandrakant (9 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
As detailed below.

Detailed Answer:
Not to be concerned at all.
On ultrasonography the tumor is said either to be solid or cystic.
Cystic means has fluid.
Solid means no fluid.
He can tell this to be benign as there are no arterial or venous waveforms on color doppler mode.
Simple lipoma can grow far larger than this. I have removed far larger than the one you have.

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

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