Differential Diagnosis for Upper Back Mass
- Single most likely diagnosis
- Lipoma: A benign tumor composed of fat tissue, which is a common cause of soft tissue masses in the upper back.
- Other Likely diagnoses
- Cyst (e.g., sebaceous or epidermoid): Benign fluid-filled sacs that can form in the skin and soft tissues of the upper back.
- Abscess: A collection of pus that can form in the skin and soft tissues, often caused by bacterial infection.
- Hematoma: A collection of blood outside of blood vessels, which can occur in the soft tissues of the upper back due to trauma or bleeding disorders.
- Soft tissue sarcoma (e.g., liposarcoma): A rare type of cancer that arises from the soft tissues, including fat, muscle, and connective tissue.
- Do Not Miss (ddxs that may not be likely, but would be deadly if missed.)
- Pancoast tumor (lung cancer): A type of lung cancer that originates in the upper part of the lung and can cause a mass in the upper back.
- Metastatic cancer: Cancer that has spread from another part of the body to the upper back, which can cause a mass.
- Spinal infection (e.g., osteomyelitis or epidural abscess): Infections of the spine or surrounding tissues, which can cause a mass and require prompt treatment.
- Aortic aneurysm or dissection: A life-threatening condition where the aorta (the main blood vessel that carries blood from the heart) becomes dilated or tears, which can cause a mass in the upper back.
- Rare diagnoses
- Neurofibroma: A benign tumor that arises from nerve tissue, which can occur in the upper back.
- Desmoid tumor: A rare type of benign tumor that can occur in the soft tissues of the upper back.
- Cold abscess (e.g., tuberculous abscess): A type of abscess that occurs in people with tuberculosis, which can cause a mass in the upper back.