lymphoma?

So, I am on a quest to try to figure something out.

I've got these lumps on the left side of my ribs right where the bone and cartilage come together.  Started out with one rib, now I've got bumps on three ribs at and just above my brest.  I'm a healthy 30 year old mother of two small children.  I have had a chest x-ray to figure out what the bumps are, and it showed nothing.  I've had a CT scan to see what it is and that showed nothing unusual.  My general doctor has now referred me to a cardio throacic surgeon to try to figure out why there's a bump you can see but that doesn't show up on the x-ray or CT scan.  He threw out the word lyphoma as a possiblity.  Does that sound like an option to anyone out there?  It's confusing the heck out of me.

I also am exhausted all the time, and have been bruising more than normal and have wierd aches and pains that are not normal, like I have ring-worm on my arm that won't go away and the slightest knick witll bleed for half a day. but that could be due to my kids.

Any ideas?  I'm fishing for anything now!

[Dennis MD]

Hi.
Just have some clarifications.
How would you characterize the lumps?  Are they movable or fixed; soft, firm, or hard in consistency?  Are they associated with tenderness?  Aside from x-ray and CT scan, what other examinations were done on you?  Like lymphoma, sebaceous cyst or lipoma can also present with superficial mass.  Perhaps you can have one biopsied in order to rule out the possibility of lymphoma.  
Are you already being treated for the ringworm?  Persistent fungal infection can cause worsening of the skin lesion.  It is best to consult also a dermatologist for further evaluation and management of the ringworm.
Good luck.

[missquest]

Thanks for the response.  The lumps are hard and unmoveable, they don't hurt but I do have a general ache in my chest.   My physician felt all around for other lymph nodes and didn't feel anything unusual.  So, a lipoma or cyst doesn't sound so bad when compared to lymphoma!  

I've been on the ring worm medication for about two months now and it just won't go away.

[Dennis MD]

Hi.
Sebaceous cyst and lipoma are soft, fairly movable, superficial masses.
Are the lumps adjacent to the bone?
I would suggest to have the lump biopsied (either needle aspiration or excision biopsy) to have a more definite diagnosis.
As for the ringworm infection, perhaps you need to change the antifungal medication you are using since the infection is not responding to it.

[missquest]

Thank you so much for taking the time to answer my questions.  This gives me something to talk to my doctor about Friday instead of going in blank and getting hit blindsided by what we might discuss.  Thanks.

Yep, the lumps are on the bone and they are hard and don't move.  They just started to show up at the begining of the year.

I've just switched ringworm meds.

Thaks again!

[Dennis MD]

Hi.
Thanks for the clarifications.
I agree that you should have a good interaction with your doctor.  You should tell your doctor all the symptoms that you are experiencing.  Ask your doctor what are his considerations based on your signs and symptoms, as well as the diagnostic evaluations and management.
Please do post your updates.

[missquest]

Thank you.  
Turns out that you might be the only Dr who listens!  I went to see a cardio thoracic surgeon yesterday, who told me I was in the wrong place that I needed to see a general surgeon.  he thought my lumps were fibrocystic breast tissue (which I tottally disagree with).  I'm willing to go to any doctor and I am happy to not see him again, so I'm off to the next apt!

I have seen where other women have had similar issues but never had them resolved on the womens's issues page.  So, I'll post anythig I can find here.

[BeanBandit]

Did you ever find out what it was?