Lump or knot on top of shoulder

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Ok, I have a lump, or a hard knot on the top of my shoulder.  Not out where the shoulder meets, but in a little bit.  It's definitely on top of the bone, I think it's too far out to be a lymph node.  But it's been there for a few months.  My husband has been very sick since October and I've just kind of ignored it, but now it's hurting way too much and I can't ignore it any more. I go to my regular doc tomorrow to have him take a look at it.  I'm really worried that it's bone cancer.  It's very, VERY hard, does not move at all and it sits right on top of the bone, where your collar bone ends and your shoulder joint starts.  Has anyone else has anything like this?  I'm worried.  I'm five years out from diagnosis, I end the Arimidex in October.

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  • GracieM2007
    GracieM2007 Member Posts: 1,564
    edited September 2012

    Ok, went to regular doc today and he took an x-ray of my shoulder, and compared it to one taken last year.  He saw no change at all.  But I think I have read on here that bone cancer doesn't show up on a regular x-ray?  Is that true?  Can someone please tell me your opinoin on this and if you think I should go ahead and see my onc?  I have an appointment with him next month anyway.  Should I just wait now?  Or should I go ahead and contact him?

  • edwards750
    edwards750 Member Posts: 3,761
    edited September 2012

    Gracie bless your heart I know you are freaked out about this. I would see my ONC now just to have it checked out. No sense adding more anxiety if you can avoid it. My ONC told me that if I had anything that was new or lasted more than a few days like severe pain, etc., to make an appt with her and not my GP for obvious reasons. That knot could be any number of things but I understand why you think the worst. Once you are DX with BC like we are we think everything has to do with the BC or the meds we are taking. Hard not to feel like that because the fear factor will always be alive and well with us. It is a good sign the GP didnt find anything wrong but he is a GP. I had this knotlike place show up on my neck one time. I didnt even realize it was there but a neighbor noticed it. I went to my GP and I remember him saying something about it was squishy and not hard and wasnt moving whatever that means. Turned out to be just fatty tissue. Again try not to worry...impossible I know...and make the appt to see your ONC. Tell the nurse what is going on beforehand and maybe she can advise whether you should wait or not but if its me I am not waiting. Good luck...praying its okay. Let us know. Diane

  • coraleliz
    coraleliz Member Posts: 1,523
    edited September 2012

    I have a knot on my shoulder blade. I noticed it before my BC diagnosis. I pointed it out to my PCP at that time & she didn't seem concerned. I sometimes wonder, that since my tumors went undetected for so long, maybe this can be cancer related. I had a PET scan & it did not light up. Maybe they can xray your good shoulder for comparison. My thinking is that it may be an alignment problem. I have scoliosis(mild), but suspect mine is related to that. Please keep us posted.

  • GracieM2007
    GracieM2007 Member Posts: 1,564
    edited September 2012

    I called my onc's office and they are going to see me this Tuesday.  That way, if the onc thinks it's something he needs to do any diagnostics on, he can get them done before my October 18th appointment.  My five year cancerversary is in October, I'm hoping and praying I make it still dancing with NED.

  • Sukiann
    Sukiann Member Posts: 310
    edited September 2012

    I have a bump or knot on top of my shoulder bone. It really hurt a lot and concerned me so I asked my doc about it. It turns out that it was a bone spur. I'm hoping that is what yours is as well. Did you get your results? Always a worry, it never ends....

  • GracieM2007
    GracieM2007 Member Posts: 1,564
    edited September 2012

    I posted in the other thread I started on this too, that my tumor markers were within normal limits, YEA!!!  Hoping that means it's just some arthritis or maybe a spur like you said, Sukiann.  Scans scheduled for next week, it's almost my five year anniversary on Arimidex, in October anyway, so hoping and praying I will be able to celebrate a five year anniversary!

  • GracieM2007
    GracieM2007 Member Posts: 1,564
    edited September 2012

    Hey, someone had posted not too long ago about not taking some kind of medicine or something right before a PET scan, because it could make the PET scan come out wrong, or maybe it was taking Calcium before a bone scan?   Does anyone know anything about that?

  • GracieM2007
    GracieM2007 Member Posts: 1,564
    edited September 2012

    Ok, went for all my tests, the verdict is, I'm getting old :D  Only soft tissue there and some inflammation in it, so it's probably from the fibro or arthritis!  Thank you all for your wonderful encouragement and prayers :)

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