- Soft Painless Lump On Collarbone Bone
- Small Soft Lump On Collarbone
- What Is A Lump On My Collarbone
- Soft Painless Lump On Collarbone Symptoms
- Soft Painless Lump On Collarbone Near
- Lipomas frequently occur just beneath the skin as a soft painless bulge which grows slowly over a period of months to years. These tumors represent very little risk to the patient and can be adequately treated by a 'marginal excision' which is commonly described as 'shelling out the tumor.'
- There are many possible causes and symptoms of lumps on the neck. The most possible ones are: Lymph Node – lymph nodes are small clusters of cells that produce antibodies, they are present mainly in the neck, besides the abdomen, armpit, thighs, groin, and collarbone.
- “Lymphomas may present as painless swelling in the lymph nodes of the neck and collarbone region, or the armpits or groin,” continues Dr. Abnormal Lump on the Collarbone (Clavicle) that Was Never There Before “The clavicle is a very superficial bone,” says Dr.
- I have a small soft lump on my left side below my collarbone and it doesn't hurt what could it be? Michael Sparacino answered 37 years experience Family Medicine See below: Any lumps should be examined by your family doctor to make sure they're not dangerous.
“Lymphomas may present as painless swelling in the lymph nodes of the neck and collarbone region, or the armpits or groin,” continues Dr. Abnormal Lump on the Collarbone (Clavicle) that Was Never There Before “The clavicle is a very superficial bone,” says Dr.
Overview
What is a ganglion cyst?
A ganglion cyst (plural: ganglia) is a small, fluid-filled lump just below the skin. Ganglia usually form close to a joint. Most ganglion cysts are on the wrist, finger or foot.
How common are ganglion cysts?
Lots of people get ganglion cysts. Ganglia are some of the most common benign (noncancerous) masses that develop in the body’s soft tissues.
Symptoms and Causes
What causes ganglion cysts?
No one knows exactly what causes a ganglion cyst to start growing. Some theories indicate that a cyst may develop after something injures a joint, allowing tissue to leak or bulge out.
Currently, most researchers agree that ganglion cysts develop from mesenchymal cells at the synovial capsular junction as a result of the continuous micro-injury. Repetitive injury to the supporting capsular and ligamentous structures appears to stimulate fibroblasts to produce hyaluronic acid, which accumulates to produce the mucin 'jelly-like' material commonly found in ganglion cysts
Soft Painless Lump On Collarbone Bone
Who gets ganglion cysts?
From what the medical community understands about ganglion cysts, anyone can get them. Certain factors may increase your chances of having one of these cysts:
- Sex: Women develop ganglia three times more often than men.
- Age: For most people who develop a ganglion cyst, it appears in early to mid-adulthood, between 20 and 50.
- Previous injury: Some healthcare providers believe a joint injury (such as tendonitis from overusing your wrist) could spur a ganglion cyst to develop in the future. Research hasn’t proven this theory yet.
- Arthritis: Having arthritis in your hands makes it more likely you’ll get a ganglion cyst. People with arthritis often get a ganglion cyst near their fingertips (at the joint closest to the nail). But having a ganglion cyst on your finger does not mean you have (or will get) arthritis.
What are the symptoms of ganglion cysts?
A bump beneath the skin is the main sign of a ganglion cyst. This bump can vary in size and shape. It may grow larger over time or when you use that area (joint) more. The cyst may not bother you at all. If you do have symptoms, you may notice some muscle pain or a tingling sensation. This is usually mass effect, which means that the mass is causing pressure and may cause inflammation.
Where do ganglion cysts appear?
Ganglion cysts usually appear at specific joints. Using the joint near the cyst may increase swelling and worsen any discomfort you feel.
Ganglion cysts typically develop on the:
- Wrist: On the front or back.
- Finger: Near any finger joint (close to your palm or just below the fingernail).
- Foot: Close to your ankle or near your toes.
What does a ganglion cyst look like?
A ganglion cyst usually looks like a lump or bump on your wrist, finger or foot. This lump may look symmetrical (round) or misshapen (more like an oval).
A ganglion cyst sits just below the skin’s surface. It may look like a bubble blown from a joint. Ganglia sometimes have a translucent effect (you can see through the lump at certain angles).
Are ganglion cysts hard or soft?
People experience ganglion cysts differently. Ganglia are usually (but not always) firm to the touch. Some people report that the fluid-filled cysts as soft. The lump likely moves easily under your skin.
Diagnosis and Tests
How is a ganglion cyst diagnosed?
Healthcare providers usually diagnose ganglia by physically examining you. A lump’s appearance and location (such as on the wrist or fingers) are telltale signs of ganglia. Your provider may press on the bump to see if it bothers you. Or they may shine a light on the lump to see if it’s translucent (partly see-through).
In some cases, your provider may remove a sample from inside the lump (called a biopsy) for further analysis. Ganglia usually contain a jellylike fluid, not solid tissue. In rare cases, your provider may recommend an X-ray to learn more about what’s causing your symptoms.
Your provider may use ultrasound to tell the difference between a solid mass and a cyst. There is also a difference between a ganglion cyst and a synovial cell. The difference is in the make-up of the lining of the cyst.
Can you have problems from a hidden ganglion cyst?
Some ganglion cysts are so small that they don’t cause obvious physical swelling, but they still cause pain. They are known as occult ganglions. Your healthcare provider may order a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) test or an ultrasound to reveal them.
Management and Treatment
Do all ganglion cysts need to be treated?
If a ganglion cyst doesn’t bother you, it might not need treatment. Sometimes a ganglion cyst goes away on its own.
Your provider may recommend treatment if a ganglion cyst:
- Hurts, which may happen when a cyst presses against a nerve or joint tissues.
- Makes certain movements or tasks difficult, such as walking or gripping a pencil.
- Makes you self-conscious about your appearance.
How are ganglion cysts treated?
Ganglia cyst treatments include:
- Anti-inflammatory medication may minimize swelling, easing mild levels of discomfort.
- Splints or braces offer support and stop you from moving the affected area, reducing swelling and pain.
- Aspiration is a procedure where your provider uses a needle to remove fluid from the cyst. Providers usually do aspiration in their office. You may feel better right away. Because this treatment only removes the fluid and not the entire cyst, your symptoms may return.
When does a ganglion cyst need surgery?
Your provider may consider surgery if other treatments don’t provide relief or your cyst comes back. Surgeons treat ganglia by removing the entire cyst. A cyst often includes a stalklike structure (root) attached to the cyst.
Your surgeon may use open (traditional) techniques or arthroscopy (tiny incisions). In some cases, surgeons may take some tissue from the nearby joint to fully repair the problem.
Surgery to remove a ganglion cyst is called ganglionectomy. It is usually an outpatient procedure. That means you should get to go home the day of surgery. Full recovery takes two to six weeks. [SD1] Orthopedic surgeons receive specialized training to perform intricate procedures on the body’s joints and other soft tissues.
Surgery may effectively resolve your symptoms. Having a ganglion cyst surgically removed greatly reduces the risk of a cyst coming back. Still, ganglia come back after surgery in an estimated 5% to 15% of cases.
Prevention
Can ganglion cysts be prevented?
You can’t prevent a ganglion cyst. Medical experts don’t know what causes them to develop.
Outlook / Prognosis
Are ganglion cysts dangerous?
Ganglion cysts are not dangerous. They are benign masses, which means they will not spread to other areas. Ganglion cysts are not cancer.
What is the prognosis (outlook) for people with ganglion cysts?
While some ganglion cysts may be painful, they pose no serious threat to your health.
Living With
What questions should I ask my healthcare provider?
If you have a ganglion cyst, you may want to ask your healthcare provider:
- Do I need treatment right now?
- Which treatment options do you recommend I try first, and why?
- What are the chances a cyst will come back after treatment?
- When would you consider surgery to treat ganglion cysts?
- What are the risks and benefits of ganglionectomy surgery?
A note from Cleveland Clinic
If you have a ganglion cyst, you may not need treatment right away. If the lump doesn’t bother you, your provider may follow you over time to check for any concerning changes. Ganglion cysts are benign, which means these lumps aren’t cancer. They pose no long-term threat to your health. Many ganglion cysts go away on their own. If a ganglion cyst affects your quality of life in any way, ask your provider about treatment options. Splints, over-the-counter pain medication or surgery may provide relief.
If you find a lump above or on your clavicle, it’s totally normal to bounce to cataclysmic conclusions. Whenever we detect anything even marginally abnormal with our bodies, the natural knee jerk attitude is to panic for the sake of our health – even if painstakingly unnecessary. The fact is, many unexplained lumps are totally harmless and not worth frenzying over.
But in rare cases, a clavicle lump could be the sign of something more unfavorable. So whilst it’s important to remain placid and astute, airing the side of caution and understanding potential consequences is equally crucial too. Getting expert advice and examination is key, allowing you to achieve a systematic diagnosis with usable treatment options presented. If you’d like to discover more about causes and symptoms of clavicle lumps, keep reading.
What’s the Main Cause for a Lump on Clavicle?
A technical term for your collarbone, the clavicle acts as a connection between your sternum and shoulder blades. There are many reasons unexpected bony lumps can betide this section of bone, some more commonplace than others.
It’s no private secret how many accidents can happen involving the clavicle, some of which have serious repercussions. Therefore, one of the primary causes of a lump on your clavicle is impulsive injury or brute trauma resulting in breakages or fractures. If you’ve suffered a particularly nasty fall and experience collarbone pain a period later, it’s essential you visit your doctor immediately. Full breakages are pretty evident at the scene, but a fracture may be more challenging to identify particularly if pain and swelling doesn’t occur right away.
As a result of such injuries, a corresponding lump can show. Whether due to your clavicle being forcibly separated into multiple shards from a severe break or a slight misalignment during a fracture, lumps can loom from major and minor injuries. Undergoing an X-ray is key to confirm this, and a CT (computerized tomography) scan may also be requested.
Is a Hard Bony Lump on Clavicle Always From Injury?
Whilst undoubtedly the most common reason hard bony lumps on your clavicle may spring, traumatic injury isn’t the only culprit for lumps of this type. Unfortunately, cancerous tumors also retain a relatively hard, rigid structure, and can subsequently develop on the clavicle as a result of bone cancer – or as secondary tumors spreading from another primary source.
Small Soft Lump On Collarbone
If you’re utterly certain you’ve not experienced any breed of trauma and your clavicle bony lump is definitely not because of injury, it’s crucial to accept professional examination. Whilst there’s always a shot any tumors present could be benign (non cancerous), it’s vital you receive an accurate report for treatment and prognosis scope.
Can Infections Cause Clavicle Lumps?
In short, yes they can! Whilst not quite as common as other embodiments of infection, bone infections can cause intermittent lumpy masses to develop within the clavicle area or between clavicle bones. Professionally referred to as osteomyelitis, such bone infections typically start following a surgical procedure because of injury.
If abandoned untreated, this condition can manifest into a weakening issue for the sufferer. However, there are multiple treatment regimens available, with surgery to extract infected tissue a feasible option if necessary.
What Causes a Lump Above My Clavicle?
What Is A Lump On My Collarbone
If noticing a lump closer to the top of your clavicle or situated near the neck area, it’s unlikely to be bone-related like preceding causes we’ve delved into. Typically, whilst commonly correlated with the sides of the neck, inflamed lymph nodes can cause lumpy structures to occur lower down on the body – even stretching as far as the clavicle.
Swollen lymph nodes are predominantly a result of bacterial infections, occurring via your body’s immune system attempting to fight and defend against the infection. In order for your nodes to settle down and revert to their introductory size and shape, antibiotics are likely needed to treat the veiled infection. Then once your white blood cells have barely anything leftover to ward off, your lymphatic nodes will shrink to normal.
However, if sensing your nodes are chronically inflamed and aren’t recovering independently, it could be a sign of something more sinister like lymphoma. So, just because the primary lump site appears closest to your clavicle, this doesn’t mean your neck and throat area can be disregarded. As always, visiting your doctor for a proficient diagnosis is key.
What Are Clavicle Lump Symptoms?
Soft Painless Lump On Collarbone Symptoms
As with basically any lump or bump, the specific associated symptoms solely depend on the root cause. Every category of lump is different, and will produce alternative residuals.
If your lump is a result of fracture or breakage, pain is an almost guaranteed aftereffect. You’re likely to also develop bruising and swelling around the broken scene, and even a slight sagged look to the shoulder closest to the break. Movement is likely to be strained and somewhat hampered, and regular painkillers are certain to be arbitrary.
However, if your lump is a result of a bone infection or broadened lymph nodes, other symptoms will be observed. Feverish emotions, chills and swelling are strongly likely to occur, and you may even experience frequent night sweats until all traces of infection have been eliminated.