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What Causes Bumps On Thigh, Back And Shoulder?

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Posted on Sat, 31 Jan 2015
Question: I had a lipoma removed from inner thigh 3weeks ago. Biospy confirmed benign. I have five other bumps that are all smaller than 5 cm. Two on my mid thigh, one on my back shoulder and one on my upper arm. Am I right in assuming these other bumps are probably lipomas as well since there is so many. I believe i have had them for a quite a while but it could be me just freaking out. I want to rule out sarcoma but all the lumps feel like hard rubber and are just below the skin. You cant really see them unless you feel them. My last lipoma was 4cm if that helps.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Deepak Kishore Kaltari (2 hours later)
Brief Answer:
They are likely to be Lipomas

Detailed Answer:
Hi
Welcome to Healthcaremagic
Greetings of the day
Dear Sir

The very fact that they are multiple and present since long time rules out possibility of Sarcoma. They are more likely to be Lipomas which are commonly multiple and present for long time without much alteration in size.
You are definitely right on assuming it to be Lipomas. A routine assessment by your Physician during your next visit will confirm the same .


Do get back to me if you need any further assistance, will be glad to assist you.


Take care

Best regards
Dr Deepak Kaltari
Consultant Surgeon
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Deepak Kishore Kaltari (18 hours later)
I was told that sarcomas once you were able to feel them would be really quite large and deep? Is this true? Also my first lipoma felt rubbery and firm as do my other bumps. I have read that most lipomas are soft and squishy and move easily? Would a sarcoma bump feel smooth and softor would it be rough and feel like rocks?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Deepak Kishore Kaltari (3 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Sarcomas are usually hard and fixed

Detailed Answer:
Dear Sir


Lipomas are usually soft rubbery and freely movable. If there is associated fibrosis it could also feel hard but not as hard as Sarcoma.

Evidence of malignant conversion in Lipomas is suspected when we notice the following

1. Sudden increase in size

2. Sudden change in consistency : swelling which was soft tends to become firm followed by hard

3. Loss of mobility and getting fixed to surrounding

4. Dilated veins over the surface

5. Increase in local temperature


Rest be assured there is no cause for concern.


Take care

Best regards
Dr Deepak
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Deepak Kishore Kaltari (22 hours later)
So when i read online it states that sarcomas can be soft as well. Since i have multiple lesions does this really exclude sarcoma? Is that because multiple lumps is not assiociated with sarcoma? My lumps just like my lipoma i had removed wasnt that freely moveable and felt more firm than soft. What is moveable mean and what is considered hard, firm or soft? People have told me since i had one lipomaalreafy removed its more than likely that my other bumps are also lipomas, is this considered true? Thank you for answering even though i am probably redundant. Thanks for your timely feedback.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Deepak Kishore Kaltari (38 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
multiple swelling likely to be Lipomas

Detailed Answer:
Dear Sir

As you have multiple swelling, and as per your description they are all of same consistency they are very much likely to be Lipomas. It's unlikely that malignant changes leading to Sarcoma occurs at multiple locations. The first sign or symptom which suggests malignant change is increase in size over short period of time.
Lipomas are usually soft and can be moved. Mobility is the term to denote the movement in relation to surrounding structure. If one holds the Lipomas and pushes it in one or other direction it moves. The edge of Lipomas also slips when one attempts to place the pulp of tip of finger over it(slip sign ). Lipomas can have variable consistency, if it predominately contains fat cells it's soft (the consistency of one gets while touching lips ,as soft as lips ), if there is some fibrous tissue along with fat cells it feels firm (as firm as tip of nose ). Very rarely it could be hard (as hard as forehead ).

I would suggest you not to be worried. Do get a thorough clinical examination from your Physician during your next visit .


Take care

Best regards
Dr Deepak
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Deepak Kishore Kaltari (13 hours later)
Mine do move slightly but they are small so im guessing movement would be limited. Seems like they are on top of the muscle. When i push the center it does nothing but they are smooth and very round. Would a liposarcoma be that small once you could feel it? My doctor said i had thick skin so my last lipoma didnt feel squishy and moved about the same way these do. I think im worried for nothing again but answering thaes questions will help. They are small so i dont want them out but want to make sure these are lipomas like my last one. What other test can be done?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Deepak Kishore Kaltari (36 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
No further testing is required if there is no clinical suspicion

Detailed Answer:
Dear Sir

No further testing is required if on clinical examination it is found to be Lipoma, which your physician would have definitely confirmed. Only if there is clinical suspicion then further testing by either Fine needle aspiration cytology is required.

Rest be assured there is no cause for concern.


Take care

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

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Deepak Kishore Kaltari

General Surgeon

Practicing since :2002

Answered : 3195 Questions

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What Causes Bumps On Thigh, Back And Shoulder?

Brief Answer: They are likely to be Lipomas Detailed Answer: Hi Welcome to Healthcaremagic Greetings of the day Dear Sir The very fact that they are multiple and present since long time rules out possibility of Sarcoma. They are more likely to be Lipomas which are commonly multiple and present for long time without much alteration in size. You are definitely right on assuming it to be Lipomas. A routine assessment by your Physician during your next visit will confirm the same . Do get back to me if you need any further assistance, will be glad to assist you. Take care Best regards Dr Deepak Kaltari Consultant Surgeon