Lump in arm, when to worry?

[Anonymous]

I have a small hard lump in/under the skin on one of my forearms. Maybe 1/4 inch. It's not visible because there's no discoloration. I noticed it probably 3 weeks ago and it hasn't changed. If I felt something like this in my breast I'd be at the doctor tomorrow...but my arm? Is this something to worry about? If so, is it something a PCP would be able to recognize?

I already had my one annual dermatologist appointment this year and I think she's also on maternity leave. I have also had a physical. So not sure if this is something they'd even make an appointment for.

[Anonymous]

I have similar, I waited a few months until time of my annual physical and showed to doctor, she said it is likely a lipoma but ordered an ultrasound of the mass (which I need to schedule, thanks for reminder!) and assuming it does prove to be a lipoma (benign) I can go to a plastic surgeon to have it removed.

I’d make an appt with primary care and get it checked.

[Anonymous]

Thanks. Is yours squishy or hard? Google said lipomas are generally soft and squishy.

[Anonymous]

I have an arm lump also and it is a lipoma. It is squishy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thanks. Is yours squishy or hard? Google said lipomas are generally soft and squishy.

the lump is solid (vs I have a lump elsewhere on my body that is a sizeable cyst, and that is very squishy bc it is all fluid), but this can be “moved around” (my non-medical way of saying it!) so that is why my doctor said she thinks it is a lipoma which is a solid mass.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Thanks. Is yours squishy or hard? Google said lipomas are generally soft and squishy.

the lump is solid (vs I have a lump elsewhere on my body that is a sizeable cyst, and that is very squishy bc it is all fluid), but this can be “moved around” (my non-medical way of saying it!) so that is why my doctor said she thinks it is a lipoma which is a solid mass.

Yes my derm told me it's concerning if it's hard and fixed. But if it can be moved around, usually okay.

[Anonymous]

Sounds like you are already worried? Make the appropriate care appointments and get it resolved.

[Anonymous]

Sounds like a cyst. If you're worried just go back to the derm and ask them, it can't hurt.

[Anonymous]

Hmm thanks. Mine is hard and doesn't really move around. I'll email my PCP, derm should be on maternity leave.

[Anonymous]

One of the NPs with an arm lump here.

I have a small hard, fixed bump on my torso, and had an u/s of it a couple years ago and found out it was scar tissue from an abdominal surgery I had had like 15 yrs prior. Any chance you’ve had surgery on that arm?

[Anonymous]

Just updating. Dr says it is a cyst. Phew!

[Anonymous]

Mine was a ganglion cyst. I have one on my foot bone too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Just updating. Dr says it is a cyst. Phew!

That’s great news OP! Thanks for letting us know.

[Anonymous]

Glad to hear it! Thanks for updating.