
Ask A Question - Help - Register - Login

13 year old with lump on left side

Sent to Health Experts May 10, 2006 6:41 p.m.

My 13 year old son noticed a lump on his left side. About 1/2 way between his chest and pelvic area, more towards the side rather then the front. I felt the lump, even know it is kind of deep and about the size of a quarter. Concerned, I immediately brought him to the doctor. Our GP felt the area and said yes there definitely was a growth about 1.5 cm. He said he thinks it is a lipoma and usually is nothing to worry about, however he did indicate that there is a lymph node there which somewhat concerns him. He suggested we wait 30 days and come back to see him. He said if it was still there or had grown at all, he would refer us to a surgeon to have it removed and biopsied. He said his other lymph nodes felt fine, asked if he had been sick or running a temperature-None. Asked if he had been sleeping alot-actually yes, but he is a teenager and plays football, etc. He said there had been situations where it could be cancerous, but it isn't likely. He rarely sees anything appear in this area. Since this information naturally alarmed me, I asked why wait? Why not just be safe, he said he could refer me to a surgeon, but they would just make us wait the 30 days anyway. Now I am worried about my son, how can I sit back for 30 days waiting to see if it grows or goes away? And do Lipomas go away anyway? Isn't there any non surgical procedures they can check like a blood test, ct scan or something to see what this is? Should I sit and wait or see another doctor. What else could this be? It is more towards his side. Rather then front region. Is it possible it could be an injury related lump, he plays football and gets hit pretty hard. Should I push this?

Optional Information:
Female

Customer (name blocked for privacy)

Status: Closed Value: $15

Answer
May 10, 2006 6:52 p.m. (11 minutes and 37 seconds later)

REPLIED

I would personally recommend waiting. Lipomas are very common on the abdomen, chest, and the back. The doctor was right to wait 30 days on this just in case it was a swollen lymph node. One option that you might want to bring up with the doctor is a fluid culture. The doctor can draw some fluid from the lump and send it to the lab to be tested. I do not believe that this will test for cancer but it can test for bacteria. I would suggest this to him/her for more guidance. You may have to wait to have the lump checked by the surgeon. Either way you will have to wait at least 30 days before the surgeon will remove it. There is no need to panic. Usually a cancerous mass will have irregular borders. The doctor has probably felt that the lump is circular all the way around and this is the reason for not operating sooner. If this answer helps please hit the accept button. Thank you.

__________________
Quote: You guys are the Marine's doctors; There's no better in the business than a Navy Corpsman...." Lieutenant General Lewis B. "Chesty" Puller, U.S.M.C

If you find my answer helpful please honor my efforts and click the Green Accept button.

CorpsmanUp -- Former U.S.Navy, Hospital Corpsman -- 100% Positive Feedback on 908 Health Accepts
Over 4 years of providing direct, clinical medical care.

Reply to James Grant
Sent May 10, 2006 7:03 p.m. (10 minutes and 31 seconds later)

I will accept, thanks for your answer it does ease my mind and for your quick response. Just one more question, why do the surgeons or doctors usually wait 30 days?

Customer (name blocked for privacy)

Answer
May 10, 2006 7:09 p.m. (6 minutes and 48 seconds later)

ACCEPTED

The surgeons will wait 30 days:
1. Just to see if it is a lymph node and if it will go away on it's own.
2. They will document the size and shape, wait 30 days, and then see if the lump/cyst has changed any or has formed irregular borders.

All of these are just clues to help the doctors treat this.

__________________
Quote: You guys are the Marine's doctors; There's no better in the business than a Navy Corpsman...." Lieutenant General Lewis B. "Chesty" Puller, U.S.M.C

If you find my answer helpful please honor my efforts and click the Green Accept button.

CorpsmanUp -- Former U.S.Navy, Hospital Corpsman -- 100% Positive Feedback on 908 Health Accepts
Over 4 years of providing direct, clinical medical care.

Think you can answer this question?
Login or Become an Expert

Related Answers:

	DISCLAIMER: You acknowledge that any information you may obtain from individuals you contact through use of the Just Answer service comes from those individuals, not from Just Answer!, and that Just Answer is not in any way responsible for any of the information these third parties may supply. The site and services are provided "as is" with no warranty and no representations are made regarding the qualification of an Expert. Responses and comments on Just Answer! are for general information and are not intended to substitute for informed professional advice (such as medical, legal, investment or accounting) and do not establish a professional-client relationship. Just Answer! is not intended or designed to address EMERGENCY QUESTIONS which should be directed immediately by telephone or in-person to qualified professionals. Please carefully read the Terms of Service.

Just Answer! > Medical Questions & Online Health Advice > Doctor Questions