Lump on upper arm/bicep

Nearly 3 weeks ago I found a lump on my upper arm/bicep it's approx the size of a golf ball or a little larger it is hard and causes no pain or discomfort. I emailed the gp straight away to be given a telephone apt 2 days later followed by a gp appt at another practice under rapid access. The doctor requested a scann and for my surgery to contact me for bloods to be done. Gp surgery called next day and booked bloods for 3 days later. I received a call from my surgery to inform me the hospital has refused the scan referral  and at that time given no reason. I had my bloods done and only result was I  was low on vitamin D. I then asked what about the lump and she said I would have to get a gp to call you tomorrow. They called back today and I now have a go for yet another gp appt for the same issue. I have been informed that the hospital no longer scans soft tissue lumps but this is hard does not move and I believe seems to be attached to muscle or bone and seems bigger than when I first noticed. If I get nowhere tomorrow I need advice on how I can get this scanned privately as this is extremely worrying me. 

  • Hello Laney77

    I'm sorry to hear that you've recently noticed a lump. You've done exactly the right thing in contacting your GP to get this checked out but I'm sorry to hear that you've had problems with the hospital referral. 

    I hope that your follow-up appointment with the GP today brought some answers about the next steps and that you're feeling more reassured about how you can get some answers about this lump. 

    Best wishes, 
    Jenn
    Cancer Chat moderator 

  • Hi there. My partner has the exact same issue as you above. The lump sounds to be the same in appearance etc. He has been to the GP today who ia referring him for a scan. Please would you mind sharing if you received any kind of diagnosis? Thank you

  • I have been for a scan, it had to be reviewed by another radiologist and was then sent to a consultant. I am awaiting an xray sd they are unable to see from scan if attached to bone and have been told I may have to have another scan. They have booked me a referral to orthopaedics. They asked if I had ever had trauma to my arm as they thought it could be a fragment of bone but I have never broken a bone. It all so worrying and I xant believe how slow things are moving its been nearly 7 weeks for me now.

  • Awh sorry to hear you haven't had a conclusive answer yet. It's the waiting around that makes things worse. Thanks for your reply and fingers crossed for you ! I will warn my partner that he will have to be prepared to have more than once scan and possible referrals to other departments etc as he is expecting to just have the one scan and have an answer there and then. 
     

    Take Care

  • Hi,

    My name is Jess, I have just noticed a lump on my upper arm, i'm really nervous and scared, I have got doctors on Tuesday. What was your outcome ?

     

    Thanks

  • Hi

    The same has happened to me as happened to Laney77.  I have been back to the Doc's after the 1st referral was denied by the hospital.  The Doc has said I do need it scanned and has referred me again.

    It is a hard golf ball sized lump on the inside of my upper arm a couple of inches up from my elbow.

     

    I'll let you know the results when (if) I get the scan