Examination of Lumps and Swellings in Medicine

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Questions and Answers

What does a sudden increase in the size of a swelling suggest?

Malignant transformation of a benign growth (correct)

Inflammatory lesion

Benign growth transformation

Abscess formation

What might the presence of fever alongside a swelling indicate?

Neurofibromatosis

Inflammatory swelling (correct)

Malignant tumour

Benign swelling

Which of the following symptoms is commonly associated with secondary changes in swellings?

Softening or ulceration (correct)

Increase in appetite

Complete immobility

Decrease in temperature

What does the recurrence of a swelling after removal often indicate?

Primary tumour was malignant Signup and view all the answers

Which condition is likely to present with multiple swellings?

Hodgkin's disease Signup and view all the answers

What impact might a swelling near the knee joint, such as an osteosarcoma, have on movement?

Partial or total loss of knee movement Signup and view all the answers

What type of swelling is most likely to recur if not completely removed?

Cystic swelling Signup and view all the answers

What symptom is commonly associated with the appearance of swelling?

Loss of body weight Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes a benign tumor from a malignant tumor?

Benign tumors proliferate slowly with little invasiveness. Signup and view all the answers

Which type of swelling is most likely to be present since birth?

Congenital swelling. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary distinction between swellings that are painful and those that are not?

Pain often suggests an inflammatory process. Signup and view all the answers

How should the duration of a lump be interpreted regarding its nature?

Long duration and painless lumps are possibly neoplastic. Signup and view all the answers

What does the mode of onset of a swelling indicate?

It may suggest if it is inflammatory or neoplastic. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following conditions may lead to a keloid formation?

Pin prick injuries or burns. Signup and view all the answers

How can you differentiate between a lump noted recently and one that has always existed?

By noting when the lump was first noticed versus when it first appeared. Signup and view all the answers

What is a common characteristic of malignant melanoma?

It typically arises from a benign naevus or birth mark. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary symptom that typically leads a patient to seek medical attention for a lump?

Pain Signup and view all the answers

In neoplastic swellings, what is usually absent in the early stages?

Pain Signup and view all the answers

Which type of pain is suggestive of inflammation leading to suppuration?

Throbbing pain Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of understanding the onset of pain in relation to swelling?

It helps determine if the lump is inflammatory or neoplastic. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements about benign growths is true?

They can remain static for long periods. Signup and view all the answers

Which condition is an exception where mild pain is typically the first symptom?

Osteosarcoma Signup and view all the answers

How can pain be described when it is sharp, sudden, and severe in nature?

Stabbing Signup and view all the answers

When assessing a lump, what should a surgeon inquire about regarding the patient's pain?

The site and time of onset Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Examination of a Lump or Swelling

A "lump" is a mass of body tissue.
A "swelling" is an enlargement or protuberance, caused by various factors.
A "tumour" or "neoplasm" is a growth of new cells, independent of body needs.
- Benign tumours grow slowly, with little evidence of mitosis (cell division) or invasiveness.
- Malignant tumours grow quickly, with invasiveness and mitosis.
Duration is crucial.
- Questions about when the lump was first noticed are important.
- Congenital swellings, like cystic hygroma or meningocele, are present at birth.
- A painless lump can exist for a long time without the patient noticing it.

History of Lump/Swelling

Duration: "How long has the lump been present?" Patient's perception of noticing it is important, but the actual start time is critical.
Mode of Onset: "How did the swelling start?" Did it occur after trauma (injury), spontaneously, gradually increase in size, etc?
Other symptoms: Pain is a key symptom; difficulty breathing, swallowing, or movement restriction are also important.
Pain characteristics: important to know if pain came before or after the swelling and nature of pain (throbbing, sharp, etc)
Site of swelling: Important to know the precise site for large swellings, to avoid confusion.
Fever: fever can accompany inflammatory swellings.
Other lumps: Presence of other lumps in the body can point to certain conditions, like neurological conditions.
Secondary changes: Softening, ulceration, or inflammatory changes.

Progress of Swelling

Size changes: Benign growths grow slowly, while malignant tumours grow quickly.
Site: exact location of the lump.
Consistency changes: Notice any changes in texture or surface of the lump.

Other Factors

Exact site of swelling: crucial for determining the origin of swelling.
Temperature: Fever can accompany inflammatory swellings.
Presence of other lumps: presence of multiple lumps can be linked to some conditions.
Secondary changes: secondary changes to the swelling might indicate different conditions.
Loss of function: Swelling can cause limitation in movement of nearby areas.
Recurrence: if swelling recurs after removal, it suggests a malignant change.
Weight loss: Significant weight loss along with swelling can hint at malignant conditions.
Past medical and personal history: Personal habits like tobacco use can be connected to various growths.

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Description

This quiz covers the examination and history-taking of lumps and swellings in clinical practice. It focuses on the definitions, classifications, and relevant patient history regarding the presence and characteristics of these growths. Test your understanding of the differences between benign and malignant tumours as well as the significance of duration and onset.