Understanding Lumps and Bruises: Causes and What They Mean

Hard lump

- Painful, firm mass in the breast that is different in size, shape, and feel than the rest of the breast - Breast cancer

- Painless, fleshy lump in the breast - Fibroadenoma

- Non-painful, firm, movable mass located anywhere in the body that is not attached to underlying tissue or skin - Lipoma

- Painful or painless lump in the armpit, near the ovaries, in the groin, or along the neck that appears after an infection - Swollen lymph node

- Painful lump on or near the skin that is filled with pus - Boil or abscess

- Fluid-filled sac in the wrist, ankle, top of the foot, back of the knee, or on the hand - Ganglion cyst

Bruise

- Large bruise that occurs without an injury - Blood clotting disorder or medication

- Bruising that does not heal after two weeks - Leukemia or lymphoma

- Frequent or unexplained bruising on the arms, legs, or torso - Child abuse

- Bruises or bumps on the head - Shaken baby syndrome

- Bruises that appear around wounds or the joints - Infection

- Bruise after trauma - Trauma