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:
-
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.
-
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:
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
Related Questions
Seeking Guidance for Chronic Pain and Nerve Issues
Greetings, I'll be brief. I'm a 34-year-old female facing persistent back discomfort, primarily concentrated in the lower region. My medical history includes an x-ray of the upper back along with both an x-ray and MRI for the lower back. Recently, I received injections in my lower back, as well as previous treatments at the base of my neck stemming from a car accident I had back in 2011. I experience numbness and pain affecting the entire right side of my body, and occasionally, my left leg and foot also feel this discomfort. When I inquired with my Nurse Practitioner regarding why my Primary Care Provider didn’t proceed with the MRI despite recommendations after my upper back x-ray, she explained that upper back pain is generally more related to nerve complications. Similarly, the challenges in my lower back are also attributed to nerve issues. Yet, I find it puzzling that I continue to be referred to orthopedic specialists rather than a neurologist, as this seems to suggest a nerve-related condition. Her recommendation was to consult with the orthopedist and wait for the next steps. It’s worth mentioning that my upper back has troubled me for 14 years, while the lower back issues have persisted for about 4 to 5 years. The numbness and pain in my leg and foot started around the same time as my accident in 2011. Recently, I’ve come across information indicating that my back problems might be linked to PCOS, but since I don’t meet all the criteria explicitly, medical professionals are hesitant to make a definitive diagnosis. I'm reaching out for advice on the type of specialist I should consult and what specific tests I should request. I feel quite overwhelmed at this point. The most substantial relief I’ve found is from Lidocaine patches, which are ineffective and often don’t adhere. I hesitate to ask for more assistance due to a fear of being perceived as exaggerating my symptoms. The pain often makes standing and walking a challenge, and I worry when I suddenly lose feeling in my limbs while driving, or when I experience debilitating pain in my neck, back, arm, or legs. Doctors acknowledge that something seems amiss, yet they indicate that it is not urgent enough to warrant major concern at this time.
Investigating the Factors Behind Appendicitis
Two weeks ago, my girlfriend and I experienced an unexpected challenge after relocating. To provide some context: - I settled into my new apartment in week one. - My girlfriend joined me a few weeks later, in week four. - By week five, I found myself facing the ordeal of appendicitis, which went undiagnosed by the general practitioners and ultimately resulted in a perforated appendix. - A visit to the emergency room led to surgery by the end of that week. - I was discharged from the hospital at the conclusion of week six. - Fast forward to week eight – my girlfriend developed appendicitis as well. Fortunately, now that we were familiar with the condition, it was diagnosed swiftly, and she underwent surgery within just one day. What’s intriguing is that we both faced this medical emergency approximately four weeks after our move. Every medical professional we consulted insisted that it was merely a matter of chance, perhaps just unfortunate luck. However, the rarity of this occurrence raises questions for me. Is it possible that there are harmful bacteria present in the water or air of our apartment? How many people would need to experience similar symptoms in order to substantiate this theory? On a lighter note, I’m genuinely curious about your thoughts on this matter. Why does modern medicine still grapple with unknown causes of certain conditions like appendicitis?
Concerns Following a Transvaginal Ultrasound Procedure
I am a 29-year-old woman weighing 100 pounds, with a lifestyle that includes no smoking, drug use, or alcohol consumption. Living in a developing country, I've come to realize that the practice of thoroughly disinfecting ultrasound probes between different patients is not commonly observed here. Had I been aware of this beforehand, I might have made different choices regarding my medical care. My primary worry stems from my suspicion that a protective shield was not utilized during my transvaginal ultrasound, as I did not notice one being used. This has led me to wonder about the risk of contracting sexually transmitted infections (STIs) from the procedure. It's been 17 days since the ultrasound, and in addition, I experienced some bleeding due to the use of a speculum, leaving my vaginal mucosa more susceptible to infection. Given these circumstances, should I consider going to a hospital to get tested for STIs?
Is This a Cause for Concern?
I have been experiencing the gradual onset of a cold that seems to have affected my entire family over the past few days. Initially, my sore throat began to show signs of improvement, but after enjoying a margarita yesterday, the pain in my throat returned, and significantly worsened. That evening, I noticed an unusual sensation while swallowing; it feels as though there’s something lodged in my throat, particularly in the area where one would typically feel the Adam's apple. Considering I've been feeling unwell for nearly a week, I'm inclined to believe that this discomfort is connected to my ongoing illness, but it’s quite alarming. The timing of this pain feels very peculiar. I avoid using tobacco, and I have had no fever. During dinner, I only consumed boneless wings and a cheeseburger, eliminating the possibility of a bone being stuck in my throat. My anxiety is complicating matters, as I find myself swallowing frequently, which only intensifies my fear about the situation. I’m feeling quite anxious and unsure! Thanks in advance for any insight. Additionally, I’m left wondering which type of doctor I should consult regarding this. Would it be a gastrointestinal specialist or an ENT?
What Are the Chances of Hospitalization? UK Perspective
I am a 14-year-old girl, standing at 161 cm tall and weighing 40 kg. I reside in the UK and have been diagnosed with Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (PoTS) and Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS). For the past three months, I have been battling disordered eating and have recently been referred to Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS). These past two weeks have seen a significant deterioration in my condition. Currently, my daily caloric intake is around 500 calories, which I've maintained for the last 14 days. As a result, I am experiencing extreme physical weakness, excessive fatigue beyond my usual tiredness, persistent dizziness, and a feeling of nausea. Additionally, I often feel extremely cold, suffer from heart palpitations, chest discomfort, and struggle with serious brain fog. Moreover, an additional concern is that I experienced a single menstrual period three months ago and have not had another since. I appreciate any feedback or insight you could provide on my situation. Thank you.