Medical Advisory BoardAll articles are reviewed for accuracy by our Medical Advisory Board
Educational purpose only • Exercise caution as content is pending human review
Article Review Status
Submitted
Under Review
Approved

Last updated: June 25, 2025View editorial policy

Personalize

Help us tailor your experience

Which best describes you? Your choice helps us use language that's most understandable for you.

Differential Diagnosis for a Hard Nodule 3 Fingers Below the Right Clavicle in a 40-Year-Old Female

Single Most Likely Diagnosis

  • Lymphadenopathy: This is the most likely diagnosis due to the location described, which is near the supraclavicular area, a common site for lymph nodes. Lymphadenopathy can result from a variety of causes including infections, autoimmune diseases, or malignancies.

Other Likely Diagnoses

  • Cyst or Lipoma: These are benign growths that can occur in the subcutaneous tissue and might present as hard nodules, depending on their composition and location.
  • Thyroid Nodule: Although less likely given the specific location, a thyroid nodule could potentially be felt in this area if it is significantly enlarged or if there is an anatomical variation.
  • Accessory Breast Tissue: This condition, where extra breast tissue is found along the milk line, could potentially present as a nodule in this area, though it's less common.

Do Not Miss Diagnoses

  • Metastatic Cancer: A hard nodule in the supraclavicular area could be a sign of metastasis from a variety of primary cancers, including lung, breast, or abdominal cancers. This diagnosis is critical to rule out due to its significant implications for prognosis and treatment.
  • Lymphoma: Both Hodgkin's and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma can present with lymphadenopathy in the supraclavicular region, making it a crucial diagnosis not to miss.
  • Tuberculosis or Other Granulomatous Disease: Although less common in some regions, tuberculosis can cause lymphadenopathy that might be felt as a hard nodule, and it requires specific treatment.

Rare Diagnoses

  • Carotid Body Tumor: A rare tumor located at the bifurcation of the carotid artery, which could potentially be felt as a nodule in the neck, though typically lower than the described location.
  • Neurofibroma: A benign nerve sheath tumor that could present as a firm nodule, though it's less likely to be found in this specific location without other associated findings.
  • Paraganglioma: A rare neuroendocrine neoplasm that could occur in the neck and present as a nodule, though it's exceedingly rare and usually associated with specific symptoms like palpitations or hypertension due to catecholamine secretion.

Professional Medical Disclaimer

This information is intended for healthcare professionals. Any medical decision-making should rely on clinical judgment and independently verified information. The content provided herein does not replace professional discretion and should be considered supplementary to established clinical guidelines. Healthcare providers should verify all information against primary literature and current practice standards before application in patient care. Dr.Oracle assumes no liability for clinical decisions based on this content.

Have a follow-up question?

Our Medical A.I. is used by practicing medical doctors at top research institutions around the world. Ask any follow up question and get world-class guideline-backed answers instantly.