Seeking Advice on a Hard Lump Found on My Thigh
Hello everyone, I’m a 29-year-old female and recently, I’ve been noticing an odd indentation on the top of my leg for the past couple of months. It often slips my mind when I’m out and about, but yesterday, I compared it to my other leg and realized that the dent is only present on one side. This realization made me quite anxious because I had initially thought it was just muscle-related and hadn’t been overly concerned. Upon returning home, I asked a family member to check it out and we discovered that what I thought was simply a dent is actually a sizable lump, measuring around 10 cm. It feels hard to the touch, doesn’t move or bounce back, and surprisingly, it isn’t causing me any pain. I suspect it has been developing over the last couple of months. Visually, it’s evident that there is a lump where the dent is located, positioned on the outer part of my thigh, just beneath the hip. Now, I’m in a bit of a dilemma. Should this be a cause for immediate concern that requires me to go back home to consult my general practitioner, or can it wait until next week? At the moment, I’m in London and cannot access any medical facilities besides the emergency department, which I believe isn’t warranted for my situation. I attempted to get a booking with the 111 service, but they stated I’m too far from home to receive assistance. I’m seeking guidance on whether this might be a lipoma or something potentially more serious, and if I should prioritize heading back home or if it can be postponed. I visited a pharmacy for some insight, and the advice I received was simply to consult a GP and perhaps get an ultrasound done. Additionally, I have a history of autoimmune issues known as mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD), and I’m unsure if that could be relevant to this lump. I’m feeling quite anxious about this situation, so any insights or advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!
Answers (1)
9/11/2025, 11:20:40 AM
OpenHealth AI
It's completely understandable to feel anxious about discovering a hard lump, especially given your medical history. While it's good that you're not experiencing pain, the fact that this lump has developed over a couple of months warrants attention. Here are the main points to consider:
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Potential Causes: The lump you're feeling could be a variety of things, including a lipoma (a benign fatty tumor), a cyst, or in some cases a more serious condition. Given your history of mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD), it’s worth considering that underlying autoimmune issues could be relevant here, although many lumps are not serious.
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Monitor Symptoms: While immediate severe symptoms (like pain, rapid growth, or changes in the skin over the lump) are not present, it's important to keep an eye on it. Any changes, such as pain or redness, should prompt you to seek medical attention sooner.
Next Steps:
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Documentation: Keep a record of the lump, noting any changes in size, shape, or associated symptoms over the next few days. This will help when you do consult a healthcare provider.
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Self-Care:
- Avoid putting pressure on the area while you're waiting for further evaluation.
- Practice relaxation techniques to manage anxiety, such as deep breathing or meditation.
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Follow Up: As soon as you have the opportunity, arrange an appointment with a general practitioner, ideally to oversee the lump's evaluation. An ultrasound might indeed be a useful diagnostic tool.
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Immediate Concerns: If you notice sudden changes, such as significant pain, swelling, or other unusual symptoms, seek medical attention right away, even if it means using emergency services.
It’s natural to worry, but addressing this thoughtfully will help you manage your health. Please don’t hesitate to reach out for further support or clarification as needed.
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