What Does A Painful Lump Below The Rib Cage Indicate?

Posted on Sat, 27 Sep 2014

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

Sat, 27 Sep 2014 Answered on

Tue, 21 Oct 2014 Last reviewed on

Question : Hi, i have an ulcer and am awaiting a endoscopy. I have just noticed that i have a pea sized marble below my left rib cage that is causing pain that is radiating to my back. What is this pea sized matter and is it of immediate concern??

Answered by Dr. Deepika Patil (33 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
could be neurofibroma

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Welcome to HealthcareMagic .

So superficial swelling and based on its size it appears like neurofibroma or lipoma or sebaceous cyst which is causing pain. Lipoma will be soft on touching. Neurofibroma will be firm. Sebaceous cyst have black point over top.

This swelling is unlikely related to your ulcer. Since you say pain radiates to back it could be neurofibroma involving nerve .

If it is very painful then consult doctor. Otherwise its not emergency to consult and not a immediate concern .

Hope I have answered your query . If any further queries are there I would love to help .

Regards
Dr.Deepika Patil

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad

Follow up: Dr. Deepika Patil (13 hours later)

Please reconsider as there is only one legion that is affected and neurofibroma is on the majority in several regions aside from the fact that there is no genetic history of this in the family and NF is genetic.

Answered by Dr. Deepika Patil (10 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
may be single

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Even neurofibroma may occur in single place and it may be non genetic in some cases. It is not 100% genetic and multiple always. Though multiple and genetic origin is common.

It could be neurolipoma. The only reason why nerve involvement is suspected because your pain radiates to back. Even in neurolipoma such symptom occur.

Other possibility is lipoma pressing over nerve end.

I suggest you to consult doctor and get examined and get needle biopsy(FNAC) done and removal accordingly. It is difficult to tell without examination of the swelling.

Hope I have answered your query . If any further queries are there I would love to help.

Regards
Dr.Deepika Patil

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Bhagyalaxmi Nalaparaju