Lumps

It's common for people to get lumps and growths on their skin. They can be caused by many things.

They can:

• be soft or hard to touch
• move around
• be very small or up to the size of a golf ball
• be a lump under the skin or a growth that hangs off your skin

• your lump gets bigger
• your lump is painful, red or hot
• your lump is hard and does not move
• your lump lasts more than 2 weeks
• a lump grows back after it's been removed
• you have a lump in the breast or testicles
• you have a swelling on the side of your neck, armpit or groin that does not go down within 2 weeks

The GP will look at your lump. They may be able to tell you what's causing it.

If they're unsure, they might refer you to hospital for tests, such as a biopsy (where a very small sample of the lump is removed and tested) or an ultrasound scan.

There are lots of possible causes of lumps and growths.

Your symptoms might give you an idea of what's causing it, but do not self-diagnose.

See a GP if you're worried or the lump is still there after 2 weeks.

Lump : Small, fleshy growth on the skin
Possible cause : Skin tags

Lump : Soft, squashy lump that moves
Possible cause : Lipoma

Lump : Smooth lump under the skin
Possible cause : Skin cyst

Lump : Swollen, painful lump with a high temperature
Possible cause : Skin abscess

Lump : Lump that’s painless at first, then gets bigger and becomes painful
Possible cause : Soft tissue sarcoma

Lump : Swelling on the side of the neck, armpit or groin
Possible cause : Swollen glands

Lump : Lump in the groin
Possible cause : Hernia

Lump : Lump on the front of the neck
Possible cause : Goitre

Lump : Fleshy growths around the groin
Possible cause : Genital warts

Lump : Swelling on the side of the neck, armpit or groin that does not go down
Possible cause : Non-Hodgkin lymphoma

Lump : Lump or lumps around the bottom (anus), often with itching or pain
Possible cause : Piles

Lump : Lump on the bottom (anus) and not being able to control when you poo
Possible cause : Rectal prolapse

Lump : Lump or swelling on the breasts
Find out more : Breast lumps

Lump : Lump or swelling on the testicles
Find out more : Testicle lumps and swellings

Lump : Smooth lump on the hand, wrist or finger
Possible cause : Ganglion cyst

Lump : Rough growth on the hand or finger
Possible cause : Warts

There are lots of possible causes of lumps and growths, including skin tags, lipomas, cysts and abscesses.

Lumps and growths on the skin can be soft or hard to touch. Some can move around and they can vary in size.