Many conditions can cause a lump on the chest. Some are harmless, while others may be more serious. Bumps on the chest can occur within breast tissue, below the sternum, or anywhere on the rib cage.
A lump in the chest is a common symptom of many conditions, regardless of location.
It is natural for a person to have concerns if they find a lump. Generally, a cancerous lump in the breast will feel hard and angular, while a benign cyst or abscess will feel round and smooth.
However, people should consult a healthcare professional if they find any lump. They can help identify different types of lumps and what might be causing them.
This article reviews common conditions that cause lumps in the chest.
Areas of chest lumps
Lumps can occur in three main areas:
- within the breast tissue
- on the chest
- below the sternum
Several conditions can cause lumps on the chest.
Breast cancer
When a person discovers a lump, their first thought might be that it is breast cancer.
A cancerous lump in the breast
However, some breast cancer masses can be soft and painful, so it is essential to get regular mammograms. The American Cancer Society recommends mammograms for females from
Other symptoms of breast cancer include:
- skin dimpling
- pain in the nipple or breast
- nipple retraction, meaning they turn inward
- nipple discharge
- breast swelling
- swollen lymph nodes
Learn about the early warning signs of breast cancer.
Breast cancer resources
Visit our dedicated hub for more research-backed information and in-depth resources on breast cancer.
Breast cyst
A breast cyst is a fluid-filled, closed sac, which is common in breast tissue and usually not cancerous.
Cysts can feel soft or hard but are usually large and smooth. Cysts in the breast
If a cyst is benign and painless, a healthcare professional might not recommend any treatment or procedure to resolve it.
However, if it is large and painful, a healthcare professional may perform a fine-needle aspiration to withdraw fluid from the cyst. Once they remove the fluid, the cyst will collapse, but it may reappear later.
Breast fibroadenoma
A fibroadenoma in the breast is a noncancerous lump comprising the breast’s glandular and connective tissue.
They are not serious and occur most commonly in females ages
The lumps are rubbery but not painful, and they move around under the skin if a person pushes on them.
A healthcare professional might perform a biopsy to confirm the lump is a fibroadenoma and not a tumor.
Learn more about a breast biopsy.
A note about sex and gender
Sex and gender exist on spectrums. This article will use the terms “male,” “female,” or both to refer to sex assigned at birth. Click here to learn more.
Several conditions may cause lumps near the sternum.
Lipoma
An overgrowth of fat cells triggers this type of dome-shaped lump, which is soft to the touch. A lipoma is not cancerous and occurs in about
They are not typically painful, but if a person experiences discomfort, it could indicate a change in the lipoma, which may suggest cancer. However, this is extremely rare.
Most healthcare professionals will not treat a lipoma unless it is in a complicated area or large and uncomfortable.
Hodgkin lymphoma
Lymphoma is a type of cancer in the immune system, while Hodgkin lymphoma
The most common initial symptom of Hodgkin lymphoma is an enlarged lymph node that causes a lump in the neck, underarm, groin, or chest area.
It usually does not hurt but may be tender. If a person has swollen lymph nodes inside their chest, they may have difficulty breathing and cough uncontrollably.
Because many factors can cause swelling in the lymph nodes, a person should also look out for other symptoms, including:
Healthcare professionals usually treat Hodgkin lymphoma with chemotherapy and radiation therapy.
Learn more about Hodgkin Lymphoma.
Cancer resources
To discover more evidence-based information and resources for cancer, visit our dedicated hub.
Two common causes of lumps developing below a person’s sternum are:
Epigastric hernia
A hernia is when an organ pushes through the muscles and tissues that hold it in place, causing it to protrude into a lump.
An epigastric hernia occurs just below the sternum. The bulge usually consists of fatty tissue, but the gut can also cause protrusions.
A weakness in the abdominal muscles usually causes this condition, and a healthcare professional may recommend surgery to correct the issue.
Learn more about an epigastric hernia.
Xiphoid syndrome
Xiphoid syndrome is the
An injury or overuse due to manual labor can produce a lump, but this condition is rare.
Treatments may involve anti-inflammatory medication or steroid injections.
Learn all about the xiphoid process.
Because a lump in the chest can have various causes, it is important to visit a healthcare professional for an examination, especially if the lump does not recede on its own in a few weeks.
A healthcare professional will likely examine sthe lump to check its edges, size, and firmness.
They will then ask the person how painful the area is. The healthcare professional may also use medical imaging, such as an MRI, CT scan, X-ray, or mammogram, to get a better look at the lump.
Finally, a healthcare professional can schedule further tests, such as a biopsy, if they think the lump needs further investigation. With this procedure, a doctor removes a small sample for analysis under a microscope or for additional tests.
Learn more about types of breast lump that may indicate cancer.
While a lump in the chest or breast might immediately raise concerns, they can be due to many factors. While some can be serious, many are benign and may not require further treatment.
However, a person should continually monitor a lump for changes and consult a healthcare professional if they have concerns. People should also speak with a healthcare professional if they have a lump that is painful or rapidly changes in size or shape.