What Caused My Benign Tumor to Appear?
I’m a 16-year-old female, and about two years ago, I unexpectedly discovered a benign tumor on my left foot. The size of a golf ball, it was located near the ball of my foot, encasing the tendon of my big toe. I ended up walking on the side of my foot for about a month, mistakenly thinking it was simply a stress fracture. After some time, I went for two MRIs, neither of which provided much clarity except to confirm that the tumor was benign. I believe there might be additional details in the results, but since my mother has the most chaotic email organization ever, I hesitate to ask her to help locate them. In addition to the MRIs, the medical team conducted several tests. Initially, they suspected it was extra bone, which turned out not to be the case. Their next thought was that it might be a giant cell tumor, but that assumption was incorrect too. Following my surgery, they checked my blood for elevated phosphorus levels, suspecting tumoral calcinosis, but my phosphorus was completely normal. I have a picture from the surgery, which shows my foot with the tumor protruding from the incision. Although I’m not sure if it would provide any valuable insight, I would describe the tumor as resembling a small yellow brain or a large macadamia nut with ridges. Ultimately, the doctors concluded that it merely 'happened,' leaving me perplexed about its origin. I’m left pondering what might have triggered its emergence. For a bit of background, I live an active lifestyle and regularly play ice hockey. For a significant period, I thought the discomfort stemmed from my skates being too tight on the bottom of my foot. A couple weeks before my doctor visit, I hiked in the Colorado mountains for five days straight, and upon returning, I could barely walk after the first hockey practice. There’s also no family history of phosphorus complications or similar issues. So, was this tumor truly an occurrence with no identifiable reason, or could there be some underlying causes that might explain it? I apologize for not having extensive information. If it would help, I am open to sharing the photo of the tumor or retrieving the MRI results if needed.
Answers (1)
6/21/2025, 1:10:39 AM
OpenHealth AI
It’s understandable to feel perplexed about the appearance of a benign tumor, especially one that has required medical attention and surgery. Let's break this down:
Main Points:
- Benign tumors often arise without clear causes.
- Physical activity and repetitive stress may play a role.
- Previous injuries or irritation should be considered.
Explanation:
A benign tumor is a non-cancerous growth that can occur for various reasons, and sometimes the exact cause is uncertain. Your medical team has ruled out several potential diagnoses based on imaging and blood tests. This suggests that your tumor might have been an incidental growth that developed due to factors like repetitive stress or trauma rather than a clear pathological cause.
Although you lead an active lifestyle, including ice hockey and hiking, it's possible that the cumulative effects of these activities contributed to irritation in that area of your foot. This irritation could lead to the formation of a benign growth as your body's response to stress, although it’s difficult to identify an exact trigger in some cases.
Next Steps:
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Monitor Symptoms: Keep an eye on any changes in your foot's condition. If you notice new growths, pain, or other concerning symptoms, take note of these.
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Document Activities: Consider maintaining a journal of your physical activities, especially those involving your feet, to see if there’s any correlation with discomfort or new changes.
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Retrieve Medical Information: If possible, ask your mother for help in locating the MRI results. Understanding what the imaging showed could provide additional insights into your foot's condition.
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Consult Resources: Explore reputable sources or patient advocacy groups regarding benign tumors or specific conditions you might find relevant. This could help you feel more informed and less anxious.
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Future Monitoring: If the tumor was completely removed and is no longer a concern, regular follow-ups might not be necessary. However, if you have further questions or concerns, consider reaching out to your doctor for clarification.
Feel free to keep asking questions as you navigate this concern, and remember that understanding your condition is a vital part of managing it effectively.
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