lump

[chas. page]

I have a lump on my right wrist the posing question is...is this a form of varicose veins? the reason i suspect that it may be is that it comes and goes, the lump is about 1/4 to 1/2 inch in dia. it occasionally itches and is blueish in color. I have been able to keep the itching to a minimum by wearing an ace bandage snugly around my wrist but not so tight as to cause additional problems. also i tried using the top of a childs sock(elastic) and this seemed to control the lump too. when pressed on it disappears for a few minutes then reappears...it doesn't bother me to much and no one else seems to notice it but on occassion the itch is intense only for a few seconds but enough to let me know that it is there. what other possibilities are there that cause such a problem? if you cannot answer this or if i am in the wrong dept. please direct me to the correct one.
            THANK YOU Sincerely C.E.Page 03/08/00

[mr. hall]

my question concerns lypomas. are they dangerous or can they be?  and what can be done about them?

[Chris G.]

Dr. R   My son has developed a dime size lumps in the neck area in the area of the external jugular vein at the middle of that prospected area.  He's had a sore throat since the start of this. The lump is painful, but only to palpation.  The lump feels more so hard that at a soft nature.  Could you elaborate on what this could ppossibly be.

[chas. page]

DR. R., YOU PROBABLY KNOW YOUR STUFF WELL AS YOU ARE A PHYSICIAN HOWEVER I THE CYST AS YOU CALL IT SEEMS TO BE FILLED WITH BLOOD IT IS BLUEISH IN COLOR AS ARE THE VEINS AROUND IT SO AGAIN I ASK IS THIS A FORM OF VARICOSE VEIN OR SOMETHING SIMULAR?
THANKS C.E. PAGE

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

Mr. Page:

It sounds as though you are describing a cyst, sometimes referred to as a "ganglion."  These are attached to the tendon; the fluid inside accounts for fluctuating size as pressure squeezes it out, and so forth.

Surgucal treatment is only worth considering if the cyst causes pain, which is uncommon.

Perhaps you ought to show it to your doctor next time you have a physical examination.

Best.

Dr. R