What Causes Movable Lump In Groin Area?

Posted on Mon, 19 May 2014

Question: How much will this cost, first? I have a lump in my left groin area - moves easily when you feel it, and I had a doctor look. He did a blood test last week - and everything looks normal. I have leg pain on and off, and specifically in the groin sometimes - and that's when I felt the lump. I put my hand on the pain in my groin, and felt the lump - not small, not huge. If my calcium score and lymphocytes and everything looks normal, do I have to worry?

Answered by Dr. Anshul Varshney (19 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
I need further details.

Detailed Answer:
Dear Friend.
Welcome to HCM. I am Dr Anshul Varshney. I understand your concern.
In females a lump in the groin region is usually because of the following reasons:
1. Lymph Node or Nodes.
2. A localized skin or soft tissue swelling like Lipoma, An Abscess or Sebaceous cyst.
3. Femoral Hernia.

So I would like to know a few questions to help you better:
1. Since when are you feeling the lump?
2. If possible try to describe the exact position of the lump. And also the side.
3. Does the lump moves or increases on coughing And straining?
4. Is it reducible?
5. Is it present all the time or off and on?
6. Approximate size of the lump?
7. Any history of fever, weight loss, night sweats?
8. Has your doctor examined and found it? What were his comments on the nature of the lump.
9. If possible attach a pic of it. It would help me a lot in making the diagnosis.
10. Are you overweight as a result of hypothyroidism?

I would be able to give you a better opinion if you could answer these questions preferably point wise and attach the photograph of the affected area. If you have with you your investigations please attach them too.
Stay Healthy
Dr Anshul Varshney, MD

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D

Follow up: Dr. Anshul Varshney (43 minutes later)

The pain in my leg started about two weeks ago. When it got more noticeable, with the groin and leg hurting, I felt where it hurt most - the groin. Then I felt the lump, and made sure it wasn't on the other side of my body (it isn't). I AM overweight due to hypothyroid, and maybe due to bio-identical hormone replacement too, as well as poor diet sometimes. (over eat and sugar, at times). I don't think the lump moves when coughing or straining - I am trying to be careful, because I MIGHT have injured myself. I'm old, and doing little things sometimes strains my muscles. I DO seem to have a generalized inflammation throughout my body, sometimes more, sometimes less. I think its from HRT (hormone replacement therapy) and stress. I would say the lump is maybe half the size of a golf ball, maybe a bit more than half. Not small, not huge. It's soft-ish - doesn't feel dense or hard, and it moves when you press. Not painful, really, when you press, either. I have NOT been sick or anything. I do have minor night sweats sometimes - but I think it's from HRT. Yes, the urgent care doctor felt it and pressed and moved it. Then he did an all-inclusive blood test, in which NOTHING showed up as abnormal. That was last week.
the lump is about four inches down from my hip bone, in the groin
I answered your questions for the most part. I'm not sending a photo. If I wanted the same opinion as the doctor I already consulted, I wouldn't have paid for a second opinion. He thinks it's might be a pulled muscle. Perhaps - but I want a new evaluation. You haven't rendered the answer I paid for. XXXXXXX

Answered by Dr. Anshul Varshney (11 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Detail follows.

Detailed Answer:
Dear Friend.

I have review your details.

I am not sure why you don't want to send a picture. My opinion is not based on your previous doctor's comments. Moreover from the details provided, I assume that it can't be a muscle stretch.
Muscle stretch doesn't produce a swelling, and even if it produces - that is bluish in color like an echymmotic patch and it is painful.
In case, the swelling has bluish overlying skin, then your doctor might be right.

Based on the details provided this can be because of Lipoma, Femoral Hernia or even an enlarged lymph node. At this age, when you are on HRT (even bio identical), there are sometimes chances of Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT). That can occur in lower leg and even sometimes in upper leg.
I am putting the diagnosis of DVT, because we can not afford to miss it.

A definitive cause at times cannot be made out even with clinical examination. Therefore I would order the following two tests:
1. Ultrasound Of the Groin where swelling is present.
2. Venous Doppler of both lower limbs.

If you feel my opinion is not biased, please attach the photograph for a better analysis.
Based on History, it does not look like to be of infective etiology.

I would be happy to answer your further questions, if any you have.
Wish you Good Luck and Good Health.

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad