It’s important to talk with your doctor about any lumps that are larger than two inches (about the size of a golf ball), grow larger, or are painful regardless of their location.

Swollen lymph nodes, especially when accompanied by inflammation or infection.

While these may not be associated with an emergency condition, they’re worth monitoring and discussing with your healthcare provider: Other conditions can cause swelling leading to new lumps, too. Among adults, they represent less than 1% of all cancers, Dr. If the tumor is in the abdomen, it may produce nausea or a sensation of fullness as well as pain, he says.Īdult soft tissue sarcoma is rare. Most commonly, soft tissue sarcomas feel like masses or bumps, which may be painful. Soft tissue sarcomas can grow to be quite large before causing symptoms because they often are embedded deep in the body, Dr. “In the early stages, it rarely causes symptoms because the tumors often are located deep in the tissue.”

“Adult soft tissue sarcoma is a disease in which malignant cells form in the soft tissues of the body,” he says. Most frequently, though, adult soft tissue sarcoma develops in the legs, arms, chest or the area behind the abdomen called the retroperitoneum, says oncologist Dale Shepard, MD, PhD. One type of cancerous lump that can form almost anywhere in the body is called adult soft tissue sarcoma. The soft tissues of the body include the muscles, tendons (the bands of fiber that connect muscles to bones), fat, blood vessels, lymph vessels, nerves and the tissues around joints. Cancerous lumps that can be felt from the outside of your body can appear in the breast, testicle, or neck, but also in the arms and legs. The mass will grow in size steadily over the weeks and months. In rare cases, an unexplained lump, bump or swelling can be a sign of a more serious issue beneath the skin.īumps that are cancerous are typically large, hard, painless to the touch and appear spontaneously. Some common cysts include Baker’s cysts, a fluid-filled bulge that forms behind the knee and ganglion cysts, rounded lumps filled with a jelly-like fluid that can develop on tendons and joints. One of the most common conditions that cause lumps, bumps or swelling are cysts. Mesko says. “If, over time, the lump or swelling improves, that’s a reassuring sign that it is harmless and nothing to worry about.” “In that case, we recommend you follow the basic RICE method: rest, ice, compression and elevation,” Dr. Athletes of all levels experience the occasional bump as a result of exercise, training, competition or other physical activity, he adds. “One major marker is if you can connect the lump’s appearance to a specific trauma or activity,” says orthopedic surgeon Dr. Grow large and painful with activity, and diminish in size with rest.Located in the superficial or fat layer of skin.Mobile, meaning it moves and changes form when you touch it.

Lumps that are not a cause for concern have some distinctive characteristics. A number of skin or medical conditions can cause lumps and bumps to appear on the surface or just below the skin. The good news is that a majority of these lumps are harmless and not a cause for concern. To get a better understanding of when something new is worth talking to your doctor about, we spoke with orthopedic surgeon Nathan W. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center.

Movable lump in cheek by jaw