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Published on: 3/5/2025

What Causes Painless Lump on the Right Side of Rib Cage?

A painless lump on the right side of the rib cage can be due to a variety of causes including fatty growths, lymph nodes, or cysts.

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Explanation

Inside your body, you have many kinds of tissue, including fat, muscle, bone, and organs. A lipoma is a soft, non-cancerous lump made of fat that can form under the skin and is usually not painful. Lipomas are relatively common. Enlarged lymph nodes are also common and can also form a lump; these are part of your body's defense system and sometimes swell without hurting if there is no active infection. Lumps could also be related to growths from bone, muscle, blood vessels. They can also be related to cysts (a closed pocket of fluid). Many times, these lumps do not cause pain and may be discovered by accident. Although painless lumps are often benign (non-dangerous), it is important to get them checked by a healthcare provider especially if they are increasing in size or become painful. You provide can do a physical examination and imaging studies to find out what is causing the lump and decide if any treatment or follow-up is necessary.

(References)

  • Lichon S, Khachemoune A. Clinical presentation, diagnostic approach, and treatment of hand lipomas: a review. Acta Dermatovenerol Alp Pannonica Adriat. 2018 Sep;27(3):137-139. PMID: 30244263.

  • Abe H, Kamimura K. Basics, Epidemiology, Diagnosis, and Management of Liver Tumor. J Clin Med. 2023 Jan 9;12(2):524. doi: 10.3390/jcm12020524. PMID: 36675453; PMCID: PMC9861884.

  • Freeman AM, Matto P. Lymphadenopathy. [Updated 2023 Feb 20]. In: StatPearls [Internet].

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Swelling under the right ribs

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