Bulge on rib...any hopeful explanation?

Nickel103

Hi all, I am looking for any hopeful reassurance this week. I have found a strange lump on my Lower left rib (not my cancer side). It's sizeable, but definitely hard and immovable and feels like part of the rib bone. It does not hurt. It arose out of nowhere suddenly about a week ago. I'm getting a bone scan next week and trying not to lose my mind. Has anyone had a lump like this that turned out not to be a sign of metastasis? My oncologist said it isn't consistent with what a metasus feels like, and X-ray shows no fracture. But he didn't offer any reassuring possibilities. I have a 4 year old and can not bare the thought of this being bad news.

LaughingGull

Hi Nickel,

Your ribs are not completely symmetrical, the shape of the ribs on one side wont necessarily match the shape on the other side. And as we age, ribs get irregular and lumpy -calcifications and such. My cousin who is a traumatologist explained this to me, once when I asked him to examine my ribs, because I was feeling multiple "lumps" that I thought were bone metastases. This was after my oncologist looked at them and also told me he didn't see anything abnormal. If the oncologist saw your x-ray and said what you have isn't consistent with bone metastases, I would say that is reassuring, isn't it?

Also, what do you mean out of nowhere a week ago? You checked your ribs the day before and there was nothing, and the next day there was a lump? When was the last time you didn't have that lump? Could that have been there for a while?

Not trying to dismiss your symptoms. By all means get it thoroughly checked. But take a deep breath and don't panic just yet. I have high risk of recurrence and see metastases everywhere. I lifted weights yesterday and I am sore today, and this morning for a minute I convinced myself that I sure was having metastases in all my bones.

LaughingGull

LaughingGull

I also felt shortness of breath climbing stairs yesterday and thought probably lung metastases. I have a metastases scare every day!

Love,

LaughingGull

Nickel103

first, thank you so much for posting. It does help me so much to hear. I didn’t even realize calcifications on the ribs could be normal. It appeared out of nowhere in that the bulge is visible..almost as if my ribs are flaring out on that side, plus the bump, which is large enough to be visible. It’s noticeable in the mirror and I just know I would’ve seen it if it had been there previously. As you mention I am constantly inspecting and evaluating my body!

I did actually have a bruised rib from a bike accident in that area, though it was over 6 months ago. So I didn’t think it could be related, but maybe it could be a calcification related to that? Thank you for giving me some hope, even is to just get me through the next few days. ❤️

MinusTwo

Nickel - it would help if you go to My Profile and enter your diagnosis and treatment to date. We would be better able to answer your questions. Thinking of you.

Nickel103

My apologies, I didn’t realize I had it set to private. You should be able to see it bow

MinusTwo

Nickel - It doesn't sound like mets to me either, but I'm not a doc. Your doc has given you a reasonable explanation. Since you were Stage 3, if you are still concerned I would push for some imaging.

Nickel103

Thank you for the response. I’m hoping to get the bone scan scheduled for next week.

KBeee

Keep us posted. Hoping it's just a calcification or something like that.

Nickel103

belated update just for anyone else wondering. This was apparently an osteophyte/bone spur that developed related to an old bike injury I had. Such a relief

Gudrun

Dear Nickel, I'm one of them waiting for your update and so happy to hear this good news. Best wishes for you and your young family, G.

LaughingGull

Excellent news! Enjoy your weeken

KBeee

Great news!