What Does A Painful Cyst Above The Belly Button Indicate?

Posted on Tue, 6 Mar 2018

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Tue, 6 Mar 2018 Answered on

Thu, 16 Nov 2023 Last reviewed on

Question : my housekeeper has a bump/cyst that goes from soft to hard and moves on the left side of her upper stomach below her ribs, above her belly button. She has never been to a Dr before and she is 65 years old?? When she sleeps on the side of this balloon type bump that moves up and down, the pain is reduced. When she tries to sleep on her back or on the opposite side, the pain gets worse.

a Dr gave her a very strong aspirin/pain pill that when she took it, it was painful to urinate.

Answered by Dr. T Chandrakant (24 minutes later)

Brief Answer:

Please check the following and let me know

Detailed Answer:

Hi,

As per the history, this may be a lump like a lipoma or so if it is long-standing. This can move from side to side but usually painless.

Please check if the lump reduces or vanishes on pressure and pops out on coughing or straining; if yes then this is most probably a hernia.

If this is a painful lump then it is diagnosed well and better to be operated.

Please check and let me know.

Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.

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

Follow up: Dr. T Chandrakant (3 hours later)

Not happy with the ensure based on my questions

Answered by Dr. T Chandrakant (32 minutes later)

Brief Answer:

Please ask questions.

Detailed Answer:

Hi,

Please give more details. Check for hernia.
Please ask a relevant questions. You have mentioned only history.

Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T

Follow up: Dr. T Chandrakant (20 hours later)

I don’t seek that was a helpful answer please advise how she should proceed

Answered by Dr. T Chandrakant (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:

Clinical evaluation and examination, investigations to get a cause

Detailed Answer:

Hello,

Since there is a lump and it is painful I would advise her the following:

Clinical evaluation, examination by a Doctor, preferably a General Surgeon to get a clinical diagnosis.

Supporting Ultrasonography to know the exact cause so that further management can be planned.

The idea is to get a proper diagnosis asap - as soon as possible and to go for definitive management.

Hope I have answered your query.

Take care

Regards,
Dr T Chandrakant, General Surgeon

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