If you find a lump in your arm or leg, try not to worry. Benign growths are over nine times more common than cancer. But it's still important to evaluate a new growth with your doctor or healthcare provider.
The most common soft tissue lump is a lipoma or a fatty tumor. When these are close to the surface, a doctor can often tell by touch that it is composed of fat. These are typically painless and grow very slowly over time. Usually no treatment is necessary, but they can be removed by a surgeon if they are large or bothersome.
Deeper lumps can be harder to evaluate. If the mass is in a muscle, an MRI is often needed to determine if it’s a lipoma, cyst, or other type of abnormal growth, also known as a tumor.