If you’ve noticed that a small lump has formed on your shoulder or upper arm, you may be wondering if it’s a cause for concern or if it’s nothing to worry about. Not all shoulder lumps are the same, so we can’t sit here and say that it is always a cause for concern or always something that can be ignored. Instead, we want you to take a closer look at the mass and any associated symptoms to dictate your next steps. In today’s blog, we explain what that lump on your shoulder might be and when a shoulder specialist may step in for treatment.
Common Causes Of Shoulder Lumps
Shoulders are a common place for a lump or mass to develop, and it’s important to remember that this mass isn’t a sure sign of cancer. There are many less serious reasons for a fatty lump to develop, but that doesn’t mean you should just automatically assume the issue can be ignored. Here’s a closer look at some of the common types of shoulder mass formations.
- Lipoma – A lipoma is a mass of fatty tissue that develops under the skin. These growths are benign and tend to develop in the shoulders, neck, armpit or upper chest. They are soft and rubbery to the touch, and while they typically aren’t painful, they can be a little uncomfortable. That said, if they irritate a nerve or blood vessel, they could cause some pain. Oftentimes they don’t require any treatment other than watchful waiting unless they are causing symptoms or you wish to have them removed for cosmetic reasons.
- Cyst – A cyst is a closed sac that could be filled with fluid, air or pus, and they are typically benign in nature. The most common cyst in the shoulder area is a paralabral cyst, which contains joint fluid and forms near the shoulder joint. Like a lipoma, it is generally painless unless it irritates a nearby nerve or blood vessel.
- Abscess – An abscess is a pus-filled lump that tends to form deep under the skin, but they may be more noticeable in the shoulder region due to the limited fat in the area. They may resemble a large pimple, and tend to be caused by a bacterial infection. Some skin abscesses will resolve on their own, while others will need to be surgically drained by a specialist.
- Wart/Acne – Large pimples and acne can form on the shoulder area when pores get clogged with oil and dead skin. If you don’t effectively clean your shoulders regularly in the shower, pimples and acne could form, sometimes causing small or moderate bumps in the area. A wart caused by an HPV infection could also develop, although these formations are much more common on your hands or feet.
- Cancer – In rare instances, a shoulder formation could be the result of cancer. Cancer can form in the connective tissue of the shoulder muscles, tendons or nerves, and this is known as a soft tissue sarcoma. Another potential cancer of the shoulder is the squamous cell carcinoma, which can present as a scaly patch or bump on the shoulder. These cancers may start off as painless before becoming more painful and potentially restricting some shoulder movement.
Treating Shoulder Lumps
While most cases of shoulder lumps aren’t life threatening, it can be difficult to make this determination on your own. If you have concerns about a new or growing lump on your shoulder, set up a consultation with a doctor or bring it up to your primary care physician during your next physical examination. Oftentimes patients will not consult with a shoulder specialist right away, but they may be referred to one if their primary care specialist uncovers an issue that would be best handled by a specialist. Abscesses or cases of shoulder cancer are two conditions that are typically referred to a shoulder specialist, while cysts, warts or lipomas can be handled by a primary care provider or by the patient themselves.
Most shoulder lumps are the result of minor issues like lipomas or cysts, but if your growth is causing pain or limiting your shoulder function, it’s a sign that you need to have the issues examined by a doctor. Even if it turns out to be nothing of concern, this consultation will provide you with some peace of mind and some tips for keeping an eye on the area going forward.
If you have questions about a shoulder lump, or you need assistance treating a different shoulder condition, reach out to Dr. Holloway and his team today at (865) 410-7887.
