Lipoma or something worse

One of the issues with many blood tests is all they show is "something" e.g. the C-reactive protein test is described here.

The skill in diagnosis is to bring lots of bits of information together to come up with what might actually be happening, then decide if there is something that can be done to make things better. Waiting for scans though is something we all struggle with so you do not sound silly at all.

That your lump has been there for almost 9 months might be something of a good sign though as it sounds like it might not be growing quickly.

<<hugs>>

Steve

Plus to add to that, Steve, when they asked me (how much has the tumor grown since you noticed it?...) I struggled with that question. "Ah, I noticed the lump about 9 months or so earlier and I think it maybe doubled or tripled in size?" But it was just a guess, in reality, I wasn't sure. But I felt compelled to give them an answer.

In the end, after the diagnosis came to fruition - my surgeon said to me, "It couldn't have grown double or triple the size in that time frame. You made an honest mistake and that isn't uncommon - not your fault or anything." However, I do think my answers may have influenced their initial diagnosis after viewing my MRI scan - though I can't be sure. They thought "likely a sarcoma". The biopsy and pathology after surgery said otherwise. It was not a sarcoma...It did, however, change my life. An experience I can never forget.

So, I am here. 'Across the pond' from America, offering what little support and encouragement I can give.

(Like Steve said, Livk90, if you haven't noticed any significant increased size over that 9 month period....that is a good sign, though I am no doctor. Sarcomas grow, normally, fairly fast. As I posted above, my errant answer to their questions perhaps influenced their diagnosis after the ultra-sound and MRI scans. Biopsy didn't detect sarcoma. Pathology confirmed biopsy) And to further add, benign tumors can also grow fast...but that is less common.

Hi Dan,

Thank you for your reply. Gosh what a relief for you after all that It was down to the biopsy to reveal the good news. I bet you were so relieved. 

I am very anxious for my scan and the results. My lump has not changed but is very deep within the muscle

 Thats why i didn't notice it straight away.

This has been a great feed to be messaging in. It's surprising how common sarcomas actually are. 

I feel like I've scared myself so much I'm convinced i have cancer and just hoping for the best outcome out of it.

Thank you for your comments. 

Do you mind me asking if you’ve had your results yet? Your symptoms sound very similar to mine (swelling feels to be deep in the muscle) and like you I’m worried sick! 

I’ve had an X-ray which came back normal (although apparently this is the case for about half of soft tissue sarcoma cases, so it doesn’t make me feel any better!) and my ultrasound isn’t for almost 3 weeks which feels like such a long time when it’s for something like this. 

Thanks!

Hello,

I had my ultrasound about 4 weeks ago now. A radiologist and a consauktant both had a look at my scans and seem to think it's a very large deep intramuscular lipoma. It's very well defined, clear and fatty looking. Because of its size over 11cm long it autiautomatic warrants an MRI scan which I am still awaiting! I have had two consaultation appointments cancelled in the last two weeks because they want my MRI results first. No sign of MRI. Once that is done and hopefully confirmed intramuscular lipoma *fingers crossed* I can then actually ask for what happens next. It is pretty big and I a like to keep fit so it is a bother so hopefully they can remove it. Please let me know how you get on.

Livk90,

Wow, so happy and relieved for you! You seem to be going through the same/familiar processes I had gone through. Ultra-sound only and they think fatty lipoma? Good to hear!

After my ultra-sound, they were concerned and thinking a sinister looking tumor (sarcoma). Point being, MRI followed and same interpretation. Likely malignant. As I posted already in here, biopsy and post surgery results showed it was benign. So, my ultra-sound and MRI interpretations were the same and only after tissue tests were they overruled.

Let's hope and pray all will go well for you from here! I am confident they will! And will pray for you, also (never hurts lol).

My deep seated tumor was sandwiched between my hamstring muscle and sciatic nerve. They had to split my hamstring and wrestle it off my sciatic nerve. Did a sciatic procedure after that (clean out any tumor residue off it). I would want to say 'all is fine now after almost 4 months' but...not so yet. My leg still hurting. Doing P.T. now... My primary care doctor (not my surgeon) thinks it might take 2+ years to heal due to the extensive nerve work they did. But again, they cut open the back of the leg. I think yours is the quad area? If so, shouldn't have any nerve problems to deal with you! Better you than me! I mean that. I wish you well and full healing!

Please post again when you have further updates for us. God bless, my friend.

Oh, and Merry Christmas to you and family and friends! "Come they told me pa rum pum pum pum.. A new born King to see, pa rum pum pum pum"... Emmanuel (Hebrew for...'God is with us')

Hi Livkk90,

I hope you are doing well. I was have a very similar sized intramuscular lipoma on my forearm, I am seeing an orthopedic surgeon tomorrow to discuss next steps. The radiologist suspects lipoma, but suggests in be removed and biopsied due to the deepness and large size. I was curious about your diagnosis and how things are. Hopefully all is well!

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