Hello,
Diagnosis of any lump is easier when associated symptoms or signs exist and with direct clinical examination possible causes can be suggested.
Swelling in this part can be of soft tissue or bone origin.
Bone swellings are hard and fixed (not mobile). It might result from a healed fracture or de novo. An X-ray on the chest wall would show the mass.
Soft tissue mass is soft to firm usually mobile. Examples of soft tissue mass in this area is lipoma, a benign tumor from fat cells that is mobile, sliding like, soft to firm and is usually painless.
They like any swelling may cause compression symptoms. Based on the underlying structures compression symptoms would occur, e.g. nerve compression would result in numbness and tingling sensation.
Investigations include CT scan of the chest and upper abdomen. Biopsy may be needed to define the nature of the swelling.
Exclusion of viral infection like herpes
zoster is essential, it may initially present with numbness and tingling before vesicles appear.
I would advise you to follow up with your doctor. If there is a mass causing compression, early intervention is essential.
Please keep us updated.
Best regards.
This answer does not substitute for direct medical consultation.
Dr. Safaa Mahmoud.
MB BCh, MSc Internal Medicine. MD Medical Oncology.
PhD Experimental Medicine and Biochemical Science.
