Solid bony lump, please help - Bone Disorders Message Board

ilex24 · 06-30-2005, 03:23 AM

Hi there

Im 19 yrs old and i've got a lump on my sternum.

Basically its a hard solid lump on the right side of my sternum, about 1/2inch from my right breast and 1inch from the bottom of the sternum. Im unsure whether it is the rib or the sternum. There is no pain and it doesn't move.

I've had it for about 2yrs but the doctors say its nothing to worry about. However recently it's started to show through my chest. I've not lost weight or anything.

I've never broken my bones or damaged my chest, although recently i've had costocondritits, although the lump was present before then.

I really really need some light shed on this, i've been desperately searching for info but have not come up with anything.

Please help me, thanks

Ilex

CheerAngel · 07-01-2005, 11:34 AM

Hi Ilex, have the doctor ordered any xrays for you of your sternum? If you haven't got the Xray, perhaps you should. You said that it seems to start showing through your chest... it might be growing and that's something to take into consideration. No one knows what is growing in there until the doctors do some test/investigation. Hope you find some answers!

ilex24 · 07-01-2005, 01:28 PM

Hi there

I saw four seperate doctors in my surgery. When I told them I had a lump in my chest they seemed interested until they realised it was the sternum area (thinking it was my breast, i guess). They all looked. One said that the sternum is naturally bony, one pressed on it and asked if it hurt - it didn't but when i left it did. They all showed no concern, and because i've been four times with no real help, I'm scared to go back, like they think im fussing over nothing. Maybe I am, but I don't know that for sure do i?

Should I go back?

CheerAngel · 07-02-2005, 11:43 AM

Hi Ilex, you might want to discuss this with someone else too - someone that's close to you - whether you should go for another consultation. Btw, you haven't mention if you had the Xray. Get one if you haven't.

The lump hurt after you left the office could be due to the doctor pressing on it. If the lump is getting very obvious and you can see that there's a lump there even without touching it, then maybe u want to check it out again. I'm sure the doctors that you have seen before were orthopedics?

If the lump have started to hurt badly, it's another sign to make you go back to the doctor. However, if you are generally in good health, eat well, exercise well, no significant weight lost, no pain... perhaps you can just watch that lump and see if any new symptoms develop. However, it's really up to you to decide how determine you want to get to the bottom of this. Look for doctors that have more experience in lumps/tumors and maybe they can help you more? Good luck and let me know how things go.

ilex24 · 07-02-2005, 01:36 PM

Hi there

No, I havn't had an xray - one was never suggested to me. Im considering asking for one however.

The doctors I went to see were just general GPs, not specialists.

I have talked with my mum who doesn't seem overly bothered, but my boyfriend is quite keen for me to get to the bottom of it. Ill have to ask for the xray, i think.

Oh, yea, I am in generally good health - there doesn't appear to be other side effects (well, not that are likely to be related, any way).

Thanks