Lump in Arm

What can Cause a Lump in Arm?

A lump on arm is a localized swelling or protrusion that appears on the arm. It is also called a bump, tumor, contusion, nodule or cyst. There are many causes of the manifestation of lumps in arm.

Common Causes of Lump in Arm:

• Infections
• Inflammation
• Tumors
• Trauma

Depending on the cause, lumps in arm may be numerous or just one large one, soft or hard, sore or painless. They may stay at their initial sizes or they may grow rapidly.

Bug bites can also cause an appearance of lump on arm. A hematoma or blood clot under the skin may appear as a lump too. Traumatic causes may also be due to broken bones after an injury.

Arm lumps may actually be boils or abscesses caused by a local infection, or they can also be caused by other infections like cellulitis or infection of the tissue and skin, papilloma virus infection or warts.

Tumors, cysts, soft tissues or protruding bones of the arm can manifest as lump in arm. The thing with tumors and cysts is that you need to know if they are benign or malignant. In these cases, cancer can be determined through a biopsy or the removal of the tumor or cyst through surgery. Tumors that can appear as arm lumps may be both benign and malignant like the following: fibroma, lipoma, melanoma, nevi and non-melanoma skin cancers. Fibroma is a benign tumor primarily composed of fibrous and connecting tissues. Lipoma is a benign fatty cell or tissue growth. Lymphoma is malignant and is cancer of the lymphatic system. Melanoma, on the other hand, is another cancer that arises in the melanocytes or the cells that produce pigmentation. Nevi are skin moles that may be too big to be mistaken as lumps.

There are cysts that are present from birth, while some may develop due to inflammation or the presence of tumors. Rheumatoid arthritis is a condition that can produce inflammation all over the body; it is a chronic auto-immune disorder that may be associated with the appearance of lumps in arms. Other conditions that can lead to inflammation that may produce the appearance of lumps in arm can include gout, osteoarthritis and rheumatic fever. Gout is arthritis of the joints that occurs when there is excessive build up of uric acid in the joints. Osteoarthritis is another type of arthritis that happens when there is degeneration of the bone and cartilage in the joints; this usually occurs in older people. Rheumatic fever is a condition that causes inflammation of the joints and other connective tissues like those in the heart and the blood vessels.

If the lump is caused by infection, trauma or inflammation it will only appear temporarily and will subside when the underlying cause is treated. If the lump on arm grows and becomes tender to the touch, then it could be a sign of a more serious condition, like a malignant tumor that may lead to development of cancer cells.

Symptoms of Lumps in Arm:

A lump on arm is actually a symptom of some sort of infection, trauma or even a serious medical condition. But it also may occur with other symptoms involving other body systems. It may be accompanied with common localized symptoms like:

• Bleeding due to bruising
• Discharge like pus
• Warmth and redness
• Pain and tenderness
• Fever and chills
• Joint pain
• Sweating
• Weight loss

These symptoms are very common and they go away as soon as the underlying condition is treated.

There may also be some serious and dangerous symptoms like the following:

• Profuse bleeding (uncontrollable)
• Tachycardia or rapid heart rate
• Redness of the lump area that extends the length of the arm

If these symptoms occur they indicate the presence of a serious condition inside the body and the lump must be immediately evaluated by a doctor for proper diagnosis.