Fibroadenomas are solid, smooth, firm, noncancerous (benign) lumps that are most commonly found in women in their 20s and 30s. They are the most common benign lumps in women and can occur at any age.
A hard lump under the skin does not necessarily indicate cancer. Infections, clogged glands, and hormonal changes can all cause noncancerous lumps under the skin.
Lipoma is the most common type of non-cancerous soft tissue tumour. It usually develops as a soft, painless lump that grows slowly. Less often, a lipoma may develop as a group of many lumps or abnormal areas. Most lipomas develop in the fat tissue just under the skin (subcutaneous).
A tumor may feel more like a rock than a grape. A cancerous lump is usually hard, not soft or squishy.
Tumors may be either benign (noncancerous) or malignant (cancerous). Benign tumors usually grow in one place and do not spread. Malignant tumors develop in one area of the body, then spread to others. Both benign and malignant tumors vary in size.
See a GP if:
your lump gets bigger. your lump is painful, red or hot. your lump is hard and does not move.
Although any lump formed by body cells may be referred to technically as a tumor. Not all tumors are malignant (cancerous). Most breast lumps – 80% of those biopsied – are benign (non-cancerous). Following are examples of the most common benign breast conditions which produce lumps.
Hard lumps are usually harmless, but in rare cases, may be a symptom of a serious condition. See a medical professional if you notice: A lump that is hard, painless, and immovable.
No, not every lump is cancerous. However, if you find or feel a new lump on your body, please seek medical attention.
Likewise, lumps that are harmless can often be accompanied by tenderness, pain, or drainage. Signs that suggest a lump might be concerning include: if it suddenly becomes very hard or feels like a rock under the skin. if the lump starts bleeding or becomes a wound.
Osteochondromas. Osteochondromas (osteocartilaginous exostoses), the most common type of noncancerous bone tumors, usually develop in people aged 10 to 20 years. These tumors are growths on the surface of a bone, which stick out as hard lumps.
Persistent lumps or swelling in any part of your body should be taken seriously. This includes any lumps in the neck, armpit, stomach, groin, chest, breast, or testicle.
Lumps can be on or underneath the skin. They may range from skin tags, lipoma (fatty deposits under the skin), cysts, warts, inflammatory acne, lymphoma (cancer of the lymph system), or skin cancer, including basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, or melanoma.
SUMMARY: Anxiety causes your muscles to tighten, including those in your neck. Combined with the sensitivity that many people have to the way their body feels with anxiety, it can make the lump feel severe.
"About 10% to 20% of lumps are cancer. The rest are benign."
A lipoma is a lump of fatty tissue that grows just under the skin. Lipomas move easily when you touch them and feel rubbery, not hard. Most lipomas aren't painful and don't cause health problems so they rarely need treatment.
Cancers tend to feel much harder than benign cysts and fibroadenomas. Both benign and malignant masses can be rounded and mobile. Only when cancers are quite advanced are they fixed to skin or the underlying chest wall, and not moveable.
Most lumps and swellings are benign (not cancerous) and are harmless, especially the kind that feel soft and roll easily under the fingers (such as lipomas and cysts). A lump or swelling that appears suddenly (over 24 to 48 hours) and is painful is usually caused by an injury or an infection.
They can feel firm or soft. Benign masses are more likely to be painful to the touch, such as with an abscess. Benign tumors also tend to grow more slowly, and many are smaller than 5 cm (2 inches) at their longest point. Sarcomas (cancerous growths) more often are painless.
Generally, breast cancer lumps tend to feel hard, firm and solid, and they have irregular edges. However, it's important to remember that some breast cancer lumps can be soft and smooth to the touch, so you should consult with your doctor whenever you feel a lump in your breast or armpit.
About half of cancerous breast lumps appear in the upper, outer quadrant of the breast, extending into the armpit. About 18 percent of breast cancer tumors show up in the nipple area. Around 11 percent are found in the lower quadrant, and 6 percent are located in the lower, inner quadrant.