small lump in groin

I am in Japan for the next couple of weeks, so i dont have a chance to go to the doctors for the next couple of weeks, but i am pretty concerened over this "lump" so i ask here untill i return home to get to a doctor.


While havng a shower 3 days ago. while washing my groin i felt a small bump or lump in my groin. It is on the right side, right in the middle of my groin. This lump is no bigger then an eraser of a pencil, it is not hard but rather feels like a tendon or something of the like...soft and squeesy(??) It has no colour and the area around the lump is a little red... There is no pain and i dont notice it unless i think about it. If I push hard enough i can feel a little pain.. it is like a burning pain feel;s like a rah would. I dont haver any other pain in my penis, or testicles. I checked my neck and armpits, my testicles,  and in my genitile area and i have no other bumps on my body. I have no trouble going to the washroom. and there is no blood in my urine or stool. I feel great, not sleepy i have my appetite. and no loss of energy. It seems to me that this lump gets a little bigger or smaller each time i touch it.. usally at night  and when i wake up. I have done 2 things that is the only different in my routine. I had unproteced anal sex with my finacee(she has no std) and i trimmed my pubic hair.

Just to give you some background. I am 24 white male, i work in a demanding job at teh airport, lifting luggage all day, I am on vaction in japan visiting my finacee. I smoke only once in a while and not a heavy drinker. There is no history of any cancer in my family.


Any insight would be great, like i said untill i can get to a doctor.. and that will be done as soon as i get home,Mu uncle(no blood relation) just passed away to lympthoma(??) so i am very nervous and just need some answer as to what it could be, Or what it sounds like... with out of course the seeing it, but all the information i said to you would be the same information i would give to my doctor. Thanks alot.

[Kevin Pho, MD]

Groin lumps can be due to a hernia, or inflammation of a lymph node.  Most lymph nodes in that area arise due to infection and goes away within 2-4 weeks.  

I would advise seeing a physician to make sure a hernia isn't present.  A pelvic CT scan can be considered to image for a hernia.  As for infection, you may want to consider tests for STDs and a urinalysis to look for a UTI.

If the lump does not go away after appropriate treatment (i.e. antibiotics for an infection or watchful waiting), then you may want to consider a biopsy to exclude the possibility for a lymphoma.

Followup with your personal physician is essential.

This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.

Thanks,
Kevin, M.D.

[tim540]

A related discussion, Groin Lump was started.