Despite being a common occurrence, the appearance of lumps and bumps on the body can be quick to stir concern.
For many people, the sight of an unexplained mass beneath the skin leads to worrying questions about the possibility of cancer.
Taking to social media, board-certified oncologist Paul Hanona has shared guidance on when to be concerned about bodily lumps and bumps.
He explained that lumps can appear in various locations including the neck and armpits, even the breast tissue or muscles.
Doctor Paul Hanona shared crucial guidance on when to be concerned
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"The majority of these things are usually not a concern," Hanona explained. "However, things that don't disappear for a while (warrant concern)."
Fortunately, most temporary lumps have simple explanations and typically resolve themselves within a few weeks.
"If you have a little bump on your neck for two or three weeks, and it goes away, it was likely just your lymph nodes reacting to an infection, or flu, whatever it might be, and that's not that big of a deal," he explained.
Usually, short-term changes in the body like swelling can be part of the body's normal response to infections.
It's the lumps that persist for extended periods of time that require medical investigation, Hanona shared.
"When something stays there for a while, that's when it could be a little bit more dangerous because there could be something else that might require an ultrasound or biopsy," he cautioned.
Some regular changes, such as fibrocystic changes during women's menstrual cycles, cause temporary lumps that often prove benign after examination.
"So not every lump or bump is something that is so scary," Hanona reassured viewers.
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Not every lump warrant concern
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"But how long it stays, especially if it's persistent, can be an indicator that it is something more serious."
So while the majority of lumps are harmless, duration is a key factor determining whether medical attention is needed.
The NHS reiterates this advice on its website.
It recommends patients see a doctor if the lump:
- Gets bigger
- Is painful, red or hot
- Is hard and does not move
- Last more than two weeks
- Grows back after it's removed
- Is located in the breast or testicle
- Is causing swelling on the side of the neck, armpit or groin and does not go down within two weeks.
