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Noticed Movable Lump Above Collar Bone. Concerned
Posted on
Wed, 24 Oct 2012
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Wed, 24 Oct 2012
Answered on
Sat, 10 Nov 2012
Last reviewed on
Question : Hi I have a questionabout my 26 year daughter. She has a lttle bump/lump right above he collar bone. It ismovable. She had a doctor look at it and they thought t was probablt nothing. We are still concerned. All of her other glands are fine.
Hi,
Thanks for writing to us.
The lump could be anything from an enlarged lymph node to a small benign tumor like a lipoma etc. Given the multitude of possibilities, we would need several other parameters about a lump like its size, colour, depth, consistency, adhesions to adjoining structures to be able to suggest a possible diagnosis. If a qualified medical doctor - especially a general surgeon - has examined and found nothing - you need not worry.
[Otherwise, and if it is a lymph node - it is something of real concern. It has a wide area of drainage - side of the neck, upper limb and chest on that side.]
Clinical examination may not show much or give leading clues... The only certain way in such cases is to excision biopsy - totally remove it and look under the microscope. Since this is quite an invasive procedure, we can start by doing a fine needle aspiration cytology where we aspirate contents with a needle).
What you can do is watch for changes in the 'lump' . Also, maybe a second opinion from a surgeon would help. A physical exam would definitely be needed to take this further.
Wishing her speedy recovery
Good luck
Thanks for writing to us.
The lump could be anything from an enlarged lymph node to a small benign tumor like a lipoma etc. Given the multitude of possibilities, we would need several other parameters about a lump like its size, colour, depth, consistency, adhesions to adjoining structures to be able to suggest a possible diagnosis. If a qualified medical doctor - especially a general surgeon - has examined and found nothing - you need not worry.
[Otherwise, and if it is a lymph node - it is something of real concern. It has a wide area of drainage - side of the neck, upper limb and chest on that side.]
Clinical examination may not show much or give leading clues... The only certain way in such cases is to excision biopsy - totally remove it and look under the microscope. Since this is quite an invasive procedure, we can start by doing a fine needle aspiration cytology where we aspirate contents with a needle).
What you can do is watch for changes in the 'lump' . Also, maybe a second opinion from a surgeon would help. A physical exam would definitely be needed to take this further.
Wishing her speedy recovery
Good luck
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Aparna Kohli
Answered by
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