Mysterious lump

[redrita]

I have a lump on the left side of my sternum (heart side). It is tender to the touch, and slightly raised above the bone. No, it is not part of my breast. It seems to be on the bone. But I have not been bruised or roughtly impacted in the sternum recently. Any ideas?

Comments

[kyra_ojosverdes]

How long has it been there?

How long have you been able to avoid poking at it since you noticed it? Did the swelling decrease at all during that time period?

[redrita]

I just noticed it this morning. I don't think the swelling has decreased, but I keep probing it too. Just to make sure it's not my imagination.

[kyra_ojosverdes]

I've had a few similar things that pretty much disappeared over a few days... once I handcuffed myself to the bed so I couldn't poke at it.

[canyonwren]

I found a fibrous cyst in that general region a few years ago, just on the other side of my chest. It hurt because the strap of my bookbag rubbed against it, and as it was too close to my breast for comfort, I had it removed and biopsied. Yours *might* be the same thing, but if you're not sure, definitely have it checked out. (Ironically, my scar keloided and now is bigger than the cyst was and just as painful.)

[gryphonwing]

My first thought was also something in the cyst family... but that's usually what I think when odd bumps show up in non-threatening places. I get them in my ears occasionally--like a handful of times in my life.

If it doesn't go away, or it hurts more, or it changes, or you feel weird about it, go let a doctor poke it, definitely. If it's just a little slightly-tender lump under your skin, you can probably wait a week and see what it does. :)