Most lumps and swellings under the skin are harmless and can be left alone. However, see your GP if you develop a new lump or swelling so that the cause can be identified. You should see your GP if you develop any growth or swelling on your body. They can examine it and confirm what it is and what's causing it. If your GP is uncertain,
they may recommend that you have an ultrasound scan or a biopsy. Surgery may be needed to remove certain types of lump. You should also see your GP urgently if you have a lump that: This is usually the type of lump that needs treatment or investigation due to infection or to rule out cancer. A painful lump or swelling that appears suddenly over a day or two may be caused by an injury or infection. It's likely to be an infection if the skin around the lump is red and warm. Your GP can advise you about how to care for this. Below are some of the most common reasons for an unexplained lump or swelling under the skin in the following areas of the body: This information may help give you an idea about what your lump or swelling might be. However, don't use it to diagnose yourself with a condition. Always leave that to your doctor. Facial swelling or lumpA lump or swelling on the face that wasn't caused by an injury is most likely to be one of the following:
See your GP for advice if you have a lump or swelling on your face. Lump in the neck or throatA lump in the neck or throat is most likely to be one of the following (although, there are also several other causes):
See your GP for advice if you have a lump in the neck or throat. Lump in the breastBreast lumps are common and have several different causes. While most breast lumps aren't breast cancer, any unusual changes to the breasts should be checked by a GP as soon as possible. Common causes of breast lumps include:
Lump around the groin areaCommon causes of a lump or lumps in the groin area include:
See your GP for advice if you have a lump or lumps in the groin area. Lump or swelling in the testicleMost testicular lumps are harmless and aren't cancerous. Less than 4 in 100 of testicular lumps turn out to be testicular cancer. A lump or swelling in the testicle is most likely to be one of the following:
See your GP for advice if you have a lump or swelling in the testicle. Lump around the anus (bottom)Anal swellings or lumps are usually one of the following:
See your GP for advice if you have anal swellings or lumps. Lump on the hand, wrist or fingerA lump on the hand, wrist or finger is probably a ganglion cyst. This is a type of cyst that forms around the joints or tendons. A ganglion cyst usually appears on the back of the wrist. It's made up of a thick jelly-like fluid and feels like a smooth, soft lump under the skin. It's not clear why ganglions form. However, they can be related to ageing or to injury to the joint or tendon. If the ganglion doesn't cause any pain or discomfort, it can be left and may disappear without treatment. If it does cause pain or discomfort you may need to have it removed. Sometimes, small rough lumps called warts develop on the hands. Warts are caused by an infection with the human papilloma virus (HPV) and are very contagious. However, they're usually harmless and clear up without treatment. See your GP for advice if you have a lump on the hand, wrist or finger. Lump on the shoulder, back, chest or armA lump on the shoulder, back, chest or arm is most likely to be a lipoma or a cyst. A lipoma is a soft, fatty lump that grows under the skin. It's fairly common, harmless and can usually be left alone. When you press a lipoma, it should feel soft and ’doughy’ to touch. It can range from the size of a pea to a few centimetres across. A cyst is a sac under the skin that contains fluid, usually pus. It can look a bit like a lipoma but is close to the surface of the skin (lipomas are deeper under the skin). Cysts can be soft or firm to the touch. Pressing on it you may get a sense of being able to squash it, and it then returning to its original shape once you remove your finger. A cyst may disappear without treatment or you may need to have it drained. See your GP for advice if you have a lump on the shoulder, back, chest or arm. Lump in the armpitA lump in the armpit is likely to be a swollen lymph gland, particularly if you also feel unwell and have other signs of an infection. The glands in the armpit can swell to more than a few centimetres in response to infection or illness. Swollen glands usually go down when you recover. It's uncommon for a lump in the armpit to be a lymphoma (cancer of the lymph glands), but you should see your GP if the lump doesn't go down. A small, knobbly lump in your armpit that hangs off the skin like a wart is probably a skin tag. Skin tags grow where skin rubs against skin or clothing, which is why they're often seen under the arm. They're very common and harmless, and can be left alone. More useful links
The information on this page has been adapted from original content from the NHS website. For further information see terms and conditions. Why is there a painful lump on the back of my neck?The most common lumps or swellings are enlarged lymph nodes. These can be caused by bacterial or viral infections, cancer (malignancy), or other rare causes. Swollen salivary glands under the jaw may be caused by infection or cancer. Lumps in the muscles of the neck are caused by injury or torticollis.
Is a painful neck lump cancer?A lump in the neck may be a sign of thyroid cancer. Or it may be caused by an enlarged lymph node. Swelling in one or more lymph nodes in the neck is a common symptom of head and neck cancer, including mouth cancer and salivary gland cancer. Lumps that come and go are not typically due to cancer.
How do you know if a neck lump is serious?See a GP if:. your lump gets bigger.. your lump is painful, red or hot.. your lump is hard and does not move.. your lump lasts more than 2 weeks.. a lump grows back after it's been removed.. you have a lump in the breast or testicles.. you have a swelling on the side of your neck, armpit or groin that does not go down.. |