Hello. I was very healthy female until this occurred and now I'm not sure of anything.
Few weeks ago I had one very difficult inflammation of tonsils and I drank several antibiotics for about two weeks.
Now, I can say that my tonsils are fine but I got one another problem.
Recently I have discovered a "lump" above my left collarbone.
It could well be my collarbone, but it really sticks out and it's only on my right side, not on my left.
I'm very afraid because I don’t know what can cause this lump above collarbone and I hope only that it isn’t something serious.
Please, if anybody had similar lump, provide me any details which could calm me down!
A lump above the collarbone can be a sign of something you're indeed right to worry about. The collarbone — or clavicle — is a long, thin bone which connects your arm to the body. Bones are smooth, so any lumps or bumps on or around them are rather easy to notice. As with many medical conditions, a lump above the collarbone can be caused by a variety of conditions, some of which were confusing to discussion participants.
I have just discovered a lump on the right collarbone it just appeared over night what could it be I am very worried about bone cancer, can you put my mind at rest please?
Lump location and description
The lump may be located on the left and/or right side of the neck. Generally, users described it as being rather prominent and visible, but it may also be depicted as a swelling in the area. The mass hardness ranges from soft and jelly-like to hard and solid. The size may or may not change over time, some people reported it growing or becoming larger.
Accompanying symptoms
Besides a lump on either side of the neck, Steadyhealth members described other symptoms which included:
- Pain in the lump.
- Arm/neck/shoulder pain or discomfort.
- Sinus pressure.
- Sore throat or painful swallowing.
- Heartburn.
- Bump itchiness.
- The skin around the lump is sensitive and twitches.
- Vision changes (enhanced vision or "Picasso vision").
- Nausea and vomiting.
- Dizziness.
- Stomach bloating.
- Face numbness on the same side as the lump.
- Lump size increase after heavy lifting or straining.
As these symptoms cause major concern for people who notice a lump above their collarbone, many have consulted a doctor. Reported diagnoses may include:
- Arthritis.
- Cat scratch disease.
- Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid gland).
- Enlarged lymph node.
- Cyst.
- Fatty tissue.
What do the experts say?
A lump on the collarbone can have many causes, some of which may require medical attention. The collarbone or clavicle is located between the ribcage and the shoulder blade. Sometimes a person may have an idea what caused the lump or it may have appeared unnoticed. Symptoms and treatment will depend on the underlying causes.
Clavicle fracture/injury
Clavicle injuries are quite common in people of all ages. Symptoms and signs of an injured collarbone may include:
- A lump or deformity over the break.
- Sagging of the shoulder.
- Swelling.
- Pain.
- Limited movement span.
The fractures can vary in severity and are usually the result of direct trauma to the shoulder. A car accident or a fall on an outstretched arm may also be blamed.
The treatment depends on the severity of the fracture. If the bone fragments have stayed in a relatively good position, nonsurgical treatment such as arm support, medication or physical therapy will suffice. However, surgery might be needed if the bone fragments have shifted significantly.
Cat scratch disease
Cat scratch disease (CSD) is an infection caused by the bacteria Bartonella henselae. A cat's scratch, bite, saliva, or fleas can spread the bacteria and cause the following symptoms:
- Bump or blister at the injury site.
- Fatigue.
- Fever.
- Headache.
- Lymphadenopathy (swelling of the lymph nodes) close to the injury site.
- Restlessness.
- Loss of appetite.
- Sore throat.
- Weight loss.
In general, CSD is not a serious condition and in most cases does not require medical attention. Treatment with antibiotics can be helpful and is recommended for people with a compromised immune system, in which case the disease can cause complications.
Infection
Lymph nodes are located all over the body and most people notice their enlargement during a cold or flu. The medical term for swollen lymph nodes is lymphadenopathy. Common areas in which we can feel the nodes with our fingers include the groin, armpit, neck (a chain of lymph nodes on the front of the neck on both sides, back of the neck, and both sides of the neck), under the jaw and chin, behind the ears, and the back of the head.
Swollen lymph nodes are caused by an infection in most cases. Some of those infections may include:
- Impacted tooth.
- Ear infections.
- Cold, flu, and other infections.
- Gingivitis (gums inflammation).
- Mononucleosis.
- Mouth sores.
- STI (sexually transmitted illnesses).
- Tonsillitis (inflammation of the tonsils).
- Tuberculosis.
- Skin infections.
Other more serious conditions can cause lymphadenopathy such as immune or autoimmune disorders and cancers:
- HIV.
- Rheumatoid arthritis.
- Leukemia.
- Hodgkin disease.
- Non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
Treatment of the swollen lymph nodes will depend on the underlying cause. Usually, enlarged nodes are a sign that your body is fighting an infection and the condition will settle itself in a matter of days without medical assistance. Nodes that are painful and appear suddenly are generally due to an infection or injury. Painless and slow enlargement may be due to cancer or a tumor.
Cyst and tumor
A collarbone lump might also be a cyst. These closed sacks of tissue can form anywhere in the body and may be filled with air, fluid, puss, or other material. Usually benign (not cancerous) in nature cysts can cause pain and appearance changes. If they become inflamed, treatment might be necessary to reduce pain and swelling.
Tumors or abnormal growths in the body can be benign and malignant (cancerous) in nature. Osteochondroma, a type of noncancerous tumor, generally forms during childhood and adolescence. Some of the most prominent symptoms of osteochondroma are:
- A painless bump near the joints most commonly knee and shoulder.
- Pain associated with an activity.
- Numbness or tingling.
- Blood flow changes.
Osteochondroma treatment consists of nonsurgical and/or surgical options depending on the tumor's location and changes.
- orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/diseases--conditions/clavicle-fracture-broken-collarbone/
- medlineplus.gov/ency/article/001614.htm
- medlineplus.gov/ency/article/003097.htm
- medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000581.htm
- www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2898940/
- www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2386324/
- orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/diseases--conditions/osteochondroma/
- medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000580.htm
Discussion highlights
Symptoms reported
- But nights I would wake to a slight pain in my head and realize it felt as though the blood was stuck -- that it had entered my head but was not coming back down.
- I would have to sit up and shake my head out, sometimes wait several moments, rotating my neck and head until things normalized .
- Swallowing was not smooth either, anymore.
- only once in a while it would hurt, as if it was being squeezed/pinched hard.
- (I had actually, very recently, experienced 'Picasso vision' two times after waking up -- one night and one morning.
Lump description
- I am a 52 year old female with a soft lump on my right collar bone.
- It has been there for years but now it's growing and it tends to be sore more often;
- my lump is not hard like yours, but larger and soft.
- Also on my right side of neck swelled up and i feel a node just on next to my thyroid.
- I am 41 and have a soft bump above my left collar bone and a bump behind at the bottom of my skull in the hair line I am in excruciating pain and went to the doctor she did a chest x-ray that looks good now she wants me to get a scan and I am waiting to get that tomorrow.
Useful suggestions
- Look up a good internal medicine doctor affiliated with a hospital good for cancer treatment (see) You want a doctor who consistently makes good diagnoses and listens to patients.
- Just see a good vascular surgeon affiliated with a good hospital for this issue;
- First of all, like you said, it could be one part of your collarbone so you might need X-ray to see if it's a bone growing out or whatever.
- So, you don’t have to loose any more time- contact your general practitioner and schedule and examination.
- this is why your best to avoid taking advice from unqualified people on the internet and just go to your GP-many of these things are common and harmless.
In conclusion
A lump above the collarbone may happen due to many reasons. Most of them are not serious and the mass might resolve on its own with or without medical assistance. However, a clavicle lump can point to Hodgkin's lymphoma, which is a form of cancer. Therefore, it is extremely important to consult your doctor immediately upon discovering any lumps or bump on your body.