Lump just below knee

Options
StaceyLynn
StaceyLynn Member Posts: 84
edited June 2014 in Not Diagnosed With a Recurrence or Metastases but Concerned

I've just discovered a lump just below my knee, I guess where the shin bone starts. It is in the same leg that I had pain and numbness during chemo. I didn't experience any type of trauma to the leg or knee. There is no redness, swelling, or pain (only slight pain if I press the area). I've also been having pain in my right shoulder.



I know my anxiety is high and I've already gone to the worst case scenario. I think I'm to frightened to have any kind of scans. Any words of wisdom?

· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • StaceyLynn
    StaceyLynn Member Posts: 84
    edited August 2011

    Help please! Just finished chemo a week ago.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • chrissyb
    chrissyb Member Posts: 16,818
    edited August 2011

    Hi StaceyLynn, sorry you are feeling such anxiety but it is quite normal.  You have just finished your cancer fighting treatment and you are feeling 'cut loose' and the fear has stepped in.  I think we all go through this and it is difficult to get past.  The best advice that I can give you is follow the two week rule......If it is still there and painfull or really bothering you after two weeks, get it checked out by your doc.  If he/she should order scans, that is a good thing as then you will know for sure what you are dealing with..............something insignificant or something bad.   There really is no other way to tell just what is going on unless you get it checked.

    Sorry you have waited so long before someone has answered you.

    Love n hugs.  Chrissy

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • BarbaraA
    BarbaraA Member Posts: 7,378
    edited August 2011

    Stacey, I just wanted you to know you are not alone. (((HUGS)))

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • catbill
    catbill Member Posts: 326
    edited August 2011

    Hi stacey,

    I think that the 2 most stress-filled times for a cancer patient are at the time of diagnosis, and right after active treatment is completed.  It sounds like you may be in the second phase. First, take a deep breath.  Is your anxiety so high that it is impacting your ability to function normally?  If no, then the two-week rule suggested by Chrissy is a good option.  If you are feeling overwhelmed, contact your doctor now.  No matter what the cause, off-the-charts anxiety IS detrimental to your health, and knowing is better than not knowing.  We'll be here to support you if you need us, and I wish you good news!  ((HUGS))

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • bcisnofun
    bcisnofun Member Posts: 488
    edited August 2011

    Hi there,

     I read somewhere just recently on these posts that cancer very rarely goes below the knee.  How long have you been having the pain?  Thinking of you and wishing you good news!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • barbe1958
    barbe1958 Member Posts: 19,757
    edited August 2011
    Stacey, I've been on this forum for almost 3 years and have never heard of breast cancer going below the knees. I, too, have lumps under my knees. I was told it's a calcium build-up as you age. Have you googled pictures to see if your bump matches anything? I think you'll be pleasantly surprised to find out you're getting old...Wink
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • reesie
    reesie Member Posts: 2,078
    edited August 2011

    It could be referred pain /swelling from the chemo reaction. When you have pain in your leg you walk differently causing other problems. I agree with Chrissy -use the two week rule.



    But, Barbe, hate to be the bearer of this news, but my biggest lesion (other than my tumor of origin) is in my tibia.



    But it IS rare so I don't think you need to worry StaceyLynn.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • barbe1958
    barbe1958 Member Posts: 19,757
    edited August 2011

    Reesie!! Holy cow woman....mets to the tibia?? Okay, Stacey, I sit corrected. Mets CAN occur below the knee as you can see. Isn't this forum great????

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • StaceyLynn
    StaceyLynn Member Posts: 84
    edited August 2011

    Thank you everyone for your replies and support. I started taking the ativan twicw a day to calm me down. I think i am just so anxious about the next phase of this journey, plus i'm not able to eat so i'm grouchy.



    I have lupus and neurological condition CIDP so i've been having trouble with my legs for years. During chemo the pain intensified greatly, but i've never felt lumps on my bone. My husband doesn't feel it so at the moment i feel a little relief. (but i still feel it.) I am scheduled to see my onc on the 31st and my neurologist the week before.



    Thank you all for understanding and for not saying i'm crazy.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • barbe1958
    barbe1958 Member Posts: 19,757
    edited August 2011

    Stacey, there is another condition called Osgood-Schlatters (sp?) disease, which my brother and I have. It causes a lump just below the knee as well. Look into that while you're waiting. Good luck, sweetie!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • 3katz
    3katz Member Posts: 1,264
    edited August 2011

    Stacey - I sure can understand your fear. Just bring it up to your onc when you see him. Hopefully it's nothing serious. I can tell you from the blastic bone lesions I have, there has been no lump. Half of my knee was cancerous lesion and while very painful, especially to the touch, there was no lump at all. So hopefully your lump is something completely different. Good luck to you - I sincerely hope you will never need any more treatment. Please keep us posted.

    Not to hijack the thread but I want to add to the cancer doesn't go below the knee: I've had a number of lesions in both tibias and even one on an ankle. Yes it is rare but I bet more common than people think. That's why I want to stress that when getting a PET scan, insist on the full legs getting scanned. The norm is "eyes to thighs." I have heard of many people (myself included) that were diagnosed late with bone mets because the PET did not scan enough of the legs.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Categories