Ask the doctor - lumps and bumps

Read expert medical advice with doctors' questions and answers from Prima, SHE and Good Housekeeping

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My mother seems to bruise very easily. She lives on her own and is highly independent. She claims she's not having falls, and she certainly doesn't seem to be in pain when we see her. Should I be worried?

Your first question seems to be about whether your mother is having falls and is scared to tell you. If she doesn't seem in pain when you see her, it's not very likely that falls are causing her bruises. However, look for other subtle signs to check that she's coping. Is the house as tidy and clean as ever; is there fresh food in the fridge; is she getting out to see friends; does she seem able to concentrate when you're having a long chat? If she seems well otherwise, ask her about the bruising and about medication she's taking. As people get older, their skin gets thinner and they do bruise more easily. In addition, taking regular aspirin or warfarin to reduce the risk of clots or heart attack could make her more prone to easy bruising. However, it can also be a sign of a problem with blood clotting, so it's worth encouraging her to see her GP and have it checked out.

Dr Sarah Jarvis, Good Housekeeping (May 09)

 

I've found a lump on my neck

 

I recently detected a lump at the back of my neck. It's solid, about the size of a peanut and not painful. I haven't bumped my head, though, so what could it be?

The most likely cause of a lump in this area is a sebaceous cyst (sometimes known as a wen). These occur when an oil gland within a hair follicle becomes blocked and slowly enlarges as a white, cheesy material collects. These cysts are easily cut out under local anaesthetic. However, you need to have the lump examined by your GP for a definite diagnosis, as neck lumps can be the result of other problems, including a fibrous growth (fibroma) or swollen lymph nodes due to an infection. Discovering a lump anywhere can be alarming, as we tend to fear it may be serious. It's usually something minor, however, and easily treated.

Dr Sarah Brewer, Prima  (Apr 09)

 

My fingers are so unsightly

 

I'm in my early 40s and for several years I've had unsightly lumps on the joints of my index fingers. My GP says they're called Heberden's nodes. I'm worried that they will eventually make my fingers seize up. Can I do anything about them?

 

Heberden's nodes are usually seen as part of osteoarthritis - the most common ‘wear and tear' variety of arthritis. When they first develop, your fingers may also be painful, but this often settles over time. Although having Heberden's nodes does make it more likely that you have osteoarthritis, they don't mean your fingers are going to stop working. In fact, people with osteoarthritis affecting their hands tend to do better than if they have the condition anywhere else. The nodes themselves won't have any major effect on how well your fingers work. Although you may develop them on other fingers in time, the ones on your index fingers aren't likely to get worse. However, they can't be ‘cured' either. It's important to keep your fingers mobile and you might also want to consider taking glucosamine tablets at a dose of 1500mg a day to help stop your condition from progressing. 
Dr Sarah Jarvis, Good Housekeeping

 

I'm terrified of having a hernia operation

I have a small hernia around my belly button for which I'm awaiting surgery. Is an operation really necessary?

This soft swelling around your belly button - known as a para-umbilical hernia - is due to some abdominal contents protruding through a weakness in your abdominal wall. The weakness opens up as a result of straining, coughing or abdominal stretching and can occur as a result of obesity or pregnancy. If its blood supply is cut off, a painful strangulated hernia develops, which requires emergency surgery. It is because of this risk that your doctor has referred you for a hernia repair. The operation is straightforward and recovery is usually quick. If the hernia becomes swollen or painful in the meantime, contact your doctor straightaway.
Dr Sarah Brewer, Prima 

 

Goitre

I’ve got a lump in my thyroid gland, which my doctor says is a goitre. My thyroid functions normally but the lump is quite big. Can I get rid of it?I’ve got a lump in my thyroid gland, which my doctor says is a goitre. My thyroid functions normally but the lump is quite big. Can I get rid of it?

Your thyroid is a gland in the front of your neck. It needs iodine to function properly, and will swell up if it doesn't get enough, causing a lump called a goitre - and these are extremely common. These days, iodine is added to the water supply so a deficiency in your diet is unlikely to be a problem. It's more likely to be due to an auto-immune disease, which is when your body's immune system turns on itself. It does make you more prone to an underactive or overactive thyroid, so you'll need to look out for symptoms like weight gain or loss, tiredness, tremors or dry skin.

You should have your thyroid function checked with a blood test at least once a year or, if the goitre suddenly increases in size, you should have it investigated. If your thyroid causes symptoms or worries you for cosmetic reasons, you can have surgery to remove the swelling. That would, however, mean you'd have to take tablets of the hormone thyroxine for the rest of your life, but this is safe and well tolerated.
Dr Sarah Jarvis, Good Housekeeping
 

Sebaceous cyst

I’ve been told by my GP that the lump on my scalp is a sebaceous cyst. She says it’s harmless, and it’s up to me whether I want it removed. Can I decide to leave it?

Sebaceous cysts are incredibly common and completely harmless. They can develop in any part of your skin that has sebaceous glands but are especially numerous on your head, neck, chest and back. A sebaceous cyst may look unsightly, and can become sore if it gets inflamed or infected, but it will never turn cancerous or endanger your health in any other way.
Dr Sarah Jarvis, Good Housekeeping
 

Lump on back

I have a warty lump on my back. My doctor has told me it isn’t cancerous, but it does catch on my bra strap and then it tends to bleed and get sore. Can I have it removed?

These days, most GP's surgeries have clinics where exactly this sort of minor procedure can be carried out. It can be done under local anaesthetic in a few minutes. Talk to the receptionist; if the lump has been checked by your doctor already, you may be able to make an appointment without seeing him or her again.
Dr Sarah Jarvis, Good Housekeeping
 

Lumps on fingers

I have had stiff fingers for a couple of years, which my GP says is due to osteoarthritis. Now I’ve developed hard, painless lumps on them, but I don’t want to go back to see my doctor again as he was very dismissive of my symptoms last time. What should I do?

The painless lumps you've developed are probably Heberden's nodes - a very common sign of osteoarthritis. They tend to occur on the joints of your fingers, and are hard, like bone. They don't suggest there's anything more worrying going on - although if they become painful, you should see your doctor. However, I'm a bit worried about your GP's attitude. Osteoarthritis is a very common condition, caused by wear and tear on the joints (especially your hips, knees, fingers and spine), but there's plenty you can do about it. You should ask your GP about seeing a physiotherapist, who can give you advice about exercises that will help you keep your joints supple without putting too much pressure on them, so make an appointment to discuss the options.
Dr Sarah Jarvis, Good Housekeeping
 

Fix your cellulite

What are the causes? I’m not overweight, but the skin on my thighs is like orange peel. What can I do?

Cellulite is almost exclusively a female problem and appears to be linked with the hormone oestrogen, which helps to regulate the storage of fat around the hips, thighs, bottom and knees. To help get rid of it (and prevent getting more), follow a low-fat, wholefood diet, avoiding refined sugar, artificial sweeteners, added salt and excess alcohol or caffeine, and exercise daily. Gotu kola or horse chestnut extracts may help, or try massaging in a dilute mix of the essential oils juniper, geranium and rosemary.
Dr Louise Selby, SHE
 

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The answers to specific problems may not apply to everyone and are not substitutes for professional medical advice. If you're worried, see your GP. For more information, visit www.netdoctor.co.uk