Differential Diagnosis for a Bump on the Right Lower Leg
Single Most Likely Diagnosis
- Osteochondroma: A common benign bone tumor that can cause a bump on the leg, often presenting with intermittent pain. The patient's age and the duration of the bump are consistent with this diagnosis.
Other Likely Diagnoses
- Hematoma or soft tissue injury: Although the patient denies recalling a traumatic event, a hematoma or soft tissue injury could have occurred and caused a persistent bump.
- Lipoma: A benign fatty tumor that can cause a bump on the leg, which may be painful if it presses on nearby nerves or tissues.
- Ganglion cyst: A non-cancerous lump that can develop on the leg, often causing intermittent pain.
Do Not Miss Diagnoses
- Osteosarcoma: A type of bone cancer that can cause a bump on the leg, although it is rare in this age group. It is essential to consider this diagnosis to avoid delayed treatment.
- Ewing's sarcoma: Another type of bone cancer that can cause a bump on the leg, which can be aggressive and requires prompt treatment.
- Infection or abscess: A bacterial or fungal infection can cause a bump on the leg, which may be painful and require urgent treatment.
Rare Diagnoses
- Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans: A rare type of skin cancer that can cause a bump on the leg.
- Lymphoma: A type of cancer that can cause a bump on the leg, although it is rare in this age group and location.
- Pigmented villonodular synovitis: A rare condition that can cause a bump on the leg, often associated with joint pain and swelling.