I used to smoke, although quit about five months ago, and (with the exception of the odd one or two) I have managed to quit pretty much solidly.
It does not hurt when I breathe deeply in or out and the pain is only occasional and seems to be across the right of my rib cage.
My obvious concern is something cancer-related, though it could just as easily be a bump or a muscle strain, I guess.
Anyone suffered the same?
Finding a lump in your body can be a scary experience, but not all lumps are tumors or cancer. This is, however, hard to tell without medical examination. The member who replied first told that it is essential to have any lump that is found on the body checked by a doctor. As one of the participants said later in the discussion:
That said, any lump on the body should always be checked out, better to be safe than sorry. Especially if you have other symptoms.
These symptoms (according to the participant who replied first) include:
- fatigue
- appetite loss
- weakness
- weight loss
- pain near the right shoulder blade
This participant told that it is important to pay attention to those symptoms because they may be the symptoms of liver cancer along with the lump on the right side and discomfort on the upper right side. Cancer lumps are rarely painful but this is not something that should be taken for granted. This participant added that weakness and fatigue could be due to many reasons, so seeing a doctor is the first step. The symptoms could also indicate a benign condition such as muscle strain or even a cyst.
Another participant reported that her boyfriend had had a lump, not on his right side but on his left side that started out as a huge bruise.
I guess a better term for it would be a dark discoloration of the skin.
After that, he developed 3 lumps on his side and his girlfriend was worried that it was cancer. Unlike the discussion starter who reported pain, this participant said that her boyfriend has never complained of any pain or discomfort. He couldn't go to the doctor because he didn't have insurance.
One of the indications was an injury to the rib cage.
My husband broke 3 ribs on his lower right ribcage. After they healed he found a lump there.
This participant also added that the lump gets smaller every time her husband loses weight and it gets bigger every time he gains weight. X-ray and MRI tests both turned out fine. Another participant reported that the lump appeared the day after she and her husband had sex, attributing it to a muscle strain or rib dislocation. One member confirmed that his lump was due to muscle strain.
The lump often occurs in smokers and it is usually visible when lying down.
I can mainly feel it when I lie down and when I go to do a sit up just slightly it is covered by my rib cage.
For many participants in the discussion, the clinical tests revealed nothing unusual. May tried to self-diagnose the lump, usually incorrectly, naming the possible culprits, such as swollen lymph nodes, stress, Mesenteric Ischemia (a rib lump is not associated with this condition), Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma (in a young participant who reported itching), etc.
One participant reported a sharp shooting pain, bad stomach cramps, loud stomach noises, urge to burp, a lot of gas even when he/she hasn't drunk or ate anything, fatigue, sweat flashes at night, and a strong urge to use the toilet in the middle of the meals. All these suggest that some GI problem could indicate the lump.
Some participants got the diagnosis for their doctors and specialists that could be a possible explanation for the lump.
After countless tests all showing no reason for the pain, a CT of my abdomen and pelvis with contract discovered the culprit: "Chronic Fatty Replacement of the Pancreatic Head." My doctor prescribed Creon to compensate for the pancreatic insufficiency and I've had no problem since.
Other conditions mentioned as a possible culprit include costochondritis (inflammation of the cartilage around the ribs), COPD, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, etc.
What do experts say?
Finding a lump below the rib cage can be a scary experience. Although in many cases the lump doesn't have to indicate anything worrisome, it is a reason for a visit to your doctor. Only after a detailed medical evaluation, including a physical exam and necessary tests, a doctor could tell the real cause for the lump under the rib cage.
While the lump under the rib cage on the right side can be a result of an injury such as muscle strain or broken ribs not properly healed, it could also indicate more serious conditions. Here, in this review, we'll focus on those medical conditions.
Hepatomegaly (enlarged liver)A firm, irregular mass located at the bottom of the right side of the rib cage (in the upper right quadrant of your abdomen) can indicate hepatomegaly, which is a scientific name for an enlarged liver. Rather than a disease, an enlarged liver is a sign of an underlying problem. It can be caused by any of a number of conditions including:
- alcoholism
- glycogen storage disease
- hepatitis A
- hepatitis B
- hepatitis C
- fructose intolerance
- mononucleosis
- biliary cirrhosis
- Reye syndrome
- cholangitis (inflammation of the bile duct)
- hepatic steatosis, also known as fatty liver
- congestive heart failure
- metastatic cancer (spreading to the liver rather than originating in the liver)
Depending on the cause of your enlarged liver, you may notice other symptoms like:
- A feeling of fullness
- Discomfort in your belly
- Yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice)
- Fatigue and weakness
- Nausea
- Weight loss
Other more serious liver conditions, such as liver cancer can also cause a firm, lumpy mass in the right upper quadrant.
Cholecystitis (gallbladder inflammation)A mass at the bottom of the right side of your rib cage can indicate an inflamed gallbladder (cholecystitis), especially if the mass is tender and "squishy." Also, if gallbladder inflammation is the cause, the lump will hurt when pressed. In most cases, gallstones blocking the tube leading out of your gallbladder cause cholecystitis, resulting in a bile buildup that can cause inflammation. Cholecystitis can be caused by other conditions as well such bile duct problems, tumors, serious illness, and certain infections. If left untreated cholecystitis can lead to gallbladder rupture, a serious and life-threatening complication.
Other gallbladder conditions, such as gallbladder tumor can cause a tender, irregularly shaped mass in the right upper quadrant, below the rib cage.
Pancreatic lipomatosisPancreatic lipomatosis refers to the fatty replacement of pancreatic parenchyma, which tends to be the commonest pathological condition involving the pancreas. The condition may occasionally simulate a mass-like lesion particularly when fatty replacement is uneven. Fatty infiltration of the pancreas is a benign condition which is most often associated with obesity and aging. Sometimes, the fatty pancreas is associated with chronic conditions that damage the pancreas, leading to fat accumulation, such as chronic pancreatitis (acquired or hereditary), which is usually related to alcoholism. Other possible causes of pancreatic lipomatosis include:
- cystic fibrosis
- diabetes mellitus
- metabolic syndrome
- alcoholic hepatitis
- use of steroid therapy
Other disorders affecting the pancreas, such as a pancreatic abscess or pancreatic pseudocyst can cause a lumpy mass in the upper abdomen in the epigastric area.
Discussion highlights
What symptoms have been reported?
- a lump on the side of my right rib cage, when touched feels like im touching a bruise, also feel a lump feels like a vein sticking out, have had few bad pains in my lower stomach aswell dont no if thy are connected or not any help greateful please
- hey guys,i have a large lump also under my rib cage,mine is very painful and i get a sharp shooting pain about twice a day.
- i also have bad stomach cramps and my stomach makes very loud noises all the time.i always feel the urge to burp and can burp pretty much non stop and a lot of gas even i havnt drank or ate anything.
- It does not hurt when I breathe deeply in or out and the pain is only occasional and seems to be across the right of my rib cage.
- Mine also is not painful but sends some pain (ish), needle-like sensation sometimes.
Was there any diagnosis that could possibly be associated with the symptoms?
- Yes, been to doctors and they say it might be muscle sprain.
- I haven't read through all the posts, so I don't know what some peoples symptoms are, but I have the same lump, under my ribcage at the top right of my stomach and I went to get it checked out today, apparently it's just some sort of muscle tear & swelling.
- Finally, today I saw a doctor and he examined me and told me it is, in his opinion, COSTOCHONDRITIS or in other words inflamation of the cartiledge around the ribs, and he has prescribed a 3 week course of anti infamatory pills that I must take daily for 3 weeks.
- stands for Non Alcoholics Fatty Liver Disease.
- :D After countless tests all showing no reason for the pain, a CT of my abdomen and pelvis with contract discovered the culprit: "Chronic Fatty Replacement of the Pancreatic Head." My doctor prescribed Creon to compensate for the pancreatic insufficiency and I've had no problem since.
In conclusion
Discovering a swelling, lump or a mass somewhere on your body can be a scary experience. While most of these newly discovered lumps are harmless and no reason to worry, any lump should be evaluated by a doctor who will give the right diagnosis and treatment (if necessary).