Darrick Robles “Most skin growths are harmless,” says Dr. Roshaan Saloojee. But in some cases, examination and treatment may be necessary. Be sure to seek medical advice if you are concerned about a palpable lump or lump – or if it persists for more than 2 weeks.
Tip: Examine your body regularly
“Everyone should know their own body well and examine it regularly. This is the only way to quickly identify new tissue changes or tumors and, if necessary, to see a doctor,” explains Dr. Saloojee.
Make a habit of checking your chest, armpits , and checking your testicles for changes yourself , and learn what’s “normal” and what’s not.
What is the difference between a benign and a cancerous lesion?
There is usually no need to worry about non-cancerous (benign) growths. she
- are mostly soft
- located in the epidermis or fat layer
- can be moved when touched.
“But there are some characteristics that warrant a medical evaluation,” said Dr. Saloojee. These types of growths usually need to be examined:
- They are hard and can be painless
- They do not move and are firmly attached to the skin or tissue
- you are getting taller
What are the most common causes of lumps and bumps?
Skin thickening can appear anywhere on the body. Some growths are specific to certain parts of the body, while others can occur in many different parts of the body. Common examples are:
- A lipoma is a benign fatty growth that feels like a smooth, soft, and elastic bump.
- Fibroids (also called skin warts) are small, soft, fleshy growths on the skin.
- Cysts are fluid-filled growths under the surface of the skin that move when touched.
- A skin abscess is a hard, painful bump that can be red and hot to the touch. Skin abscesses usually contain pus and are a sign of infection. They can also develop from boils .
In which places do thickenings occur more often?
1. Lump in the breast
Breast lumps can occur in both men and women. In most cases, this is not breast cancer. Fibroadenoma is often the cause – a benign growth in the breast made up of fibrous tissue and glandular tissue.
It could also be a cyst. “Breast cysts are common growths in the breast that develop naturally as the breast changes throughout life based on hormone levels,” explains Dr. Saloojee.
What to look for “Fibroadenomas are smooth growths that move easily under the skin when you press on them,” explains Dr. Saloojee. Patients with fibrocystic mastopathy (a nodular growth in the connective tissue of the breast) may find it difficult to detect a new breast growth.
“Breast cysts can feel soft or hard and vary in size. They are usually oval or round and can develop quickly anywhere in the breast. Occasionally they can feel uncomfortable and even painful,” explains Dr. Saloojee.
In breast cancer, the growths are often hard and painless (although some can be painful). They are usually irregularly shaped and differ from the surrounding breast tissue.
When to do a self-examination of your breasts The best time to do this is to examine your breasts once a month . This will give you a feel for how your breast normally feels.
When to see a doctor Any palpable change in the breast should be checked out by a doctor.
2. Lumps in the neck and armpits
The most common cause of a palpable lump in the neck or armpit is swollen glands (or lymph nodes). Such palpable enlargements of a lymph node are also called lymphadenopathy. Swollen lymph nodes are often caused by mild infections, colds , tonsillitis or sore throat . Less commonly, the lymph nodes may become swollen due to another condition, such as B. rheumatoid arthritis or cancer.
“An abnormality in the neck could also be a thyroid goiter, that is, a swelling of the thyroid gland,” explains Dr. Saloojee.
What to look for Swollen lymph nodes feel like tender, painful growths on either side of the neck, under the jaw, or in the armpit. With underlying diseases, the lymph nodes can become very hard, but usually there is no pain.
“If the thyroid gland enlarges, a goiter develops. This is visible on the neck. The size of a goiter – also called goiter in medical terms – can vary and move up and down when you swallow,” explains Dr. Saloojee.
When to Examine Yourself Check your neck and armpits about once a month. It is best to do this at the same time as examining your breast.
When to See a Doctor The swollen lymph nodes usually go away on their own within 2 weeks. If the swelling persists, it is better to get it checked out by a doctor. The doctor can also determine if your thyroid is swollen if you think you may have a goiter.
3. Lump in the testicles
“Bulbs and swellings on the testicles can have different causes,” explains Dr. Saloojee. “These can be harmless neoplasms, such as B. fluid-filled cysts or varicose veins, so-called varicoceles. In rare cases, it can also be caused by a serious illness, such as testicular cancer.”
What to look for Your testicles should feel firm but not hard and smooth. There should be no bumps or knots palpable.
Early signs of testicular cancer can include:
- a hard palpable swelling in the testicle
- an enlargement or swelling of the testicles
- if the testicle feels tighter than usual
You should feel the testicle regularly to get a feel for its normal shape and size.
When to See a Doctor If you notice any lumps, swelling, or other changes, you should seek medical attention.
4. Lump in the groin area
Common causes of a palpable thickening in the groin include swollen lymph nodes, an enlarged vein called the saphena varix, and sexually transmitted infections such as genital warts.
“Hernias can also occur. However, this does not mean that a bone is broken, but that abdominal organs bulge out due to a weakness in the muscle or tissue wall. It is not uncommon for a ‘bump’ to be visible from the outside,” explains Dr. Saloojee.
What to Look for “This “bump” often pushes back or goes away when you lie down. If you cough or exercise, the “bump” may become visible again. Occasionally, pain can also occur,” says Dr. Saloojee.
When to examine yourself You should examine the lymph nodes in the groin once a month. This can be done at the same time as examining other areas for palpable changes.
When to See a Doctor If you notice a lump of some kind in your groin area, you should see a doctor to see if it could be a hernia.
5. Knocks on hands and wrists
“Ganglion cysts are benign cysts that form on the tendons or joints of the wrists or hands. They sometimes occur in people with osteoarthritis or previous joint or tendon injuries,” says Dr. Saloojee.
What to Look for “Ganglion cysts are round or oval-shaped and filled with a gelatinous fluid. They can feel like a small, solid balloon filled with water, but they can usually be squeezed,” explains Dr. Saloojee.
When to See a Doctor If you notice an unusual bump on your hand that is causing pain or affecting the way you use your hand, you should seek medical attention.
6. Bumps on the anus and buttocks
Palpable changes around or in the anus can be due to hemorrhoids . The veins in the anus can stretch under pressure, causing them to bulge and swell, forming small, round lumps. Straining to have a bowel movement , constipation or diarrhea , pregnancy and heavy lifting can all be causes.
“It could also be a rectal prolapse (also known as a prolapsed rectum), i.e. a protrusion of the anal mucosa from the anus that is visible from the outside,” explains Dr. Saloojee.
Incidentally, hemorrhoids are not uncommon. It is estimated that more than half of all people over the age of 30 will experience some form of this at some point in their lives. About 4 out of 100 adults seek medical treatment for hemorrhoids each year.
What to look out for Hemorrhoids in and around the anus can cause itching and pain. Sometimes bright red blood can also be seen in the stool.
When to Examine Yourself You are more likely to notice hemorrhoids or a prolapsed rectum when you go to the bathroom or take a shower, so routine self-examinations are not necessary.
When you should go to the doctor “Every change in and on the anus should be clarified by a doctor to rule out diseases,” emphasizes Dr. Saloojee.
When should I have bumps and skin growths examined by a doctor?
If you are concerned about a skin change or it has been there for more than 2 weeks , you should seek medical attention as soon as possible.
In the early stages, cancer often does not cause any typical symptoms. This is why physical introspection is so important.
Always consult a doctor if you notice any abnormalities (palpable lumps or swellings) that:
- grow
- are painful, red, or hot
- are hard and solid
- regrow after they are removed
Your doctor will first take an anamnesis, i.e. ask you exactly what your symptoms are. A clinical examination is then carried out. The doctor may be able to tell you immediately what the cause is and offer you treatment.
If the cause or diagnosis is unclear, you may be referred for an ultrasound to evaluate the lump or a biopsy, which involves removing cells or tissue and examining it.
If further examinations are required, you can be referred to a specialist practice for further examinations.
