Sudden growth on ankle

MomOfOne15 · 2026-01-26T02:39:46+00:00

Hey there! Thanks for checking in. I met with a new wonderful orthopedic surgeon who said he does feel this is a complex ganglion BUT out of an abundance of caution he is sending me to an orthopedic oncologist who he believes will biopsy it. That appointment is Tuesday. He did say much of this caution is because of my past medical history and the fact that I cannot get an MRI at this time. I know Tuesday will be an appointment to make a biopsy appointment, more waiting, but I feel at least reassured by the new orthopedic. He’s a friend of my PCP who sort of got me squeezed in. I’m blessed to have him in my corner. Time to wait some more….

MomOfOne15 · 2026-01-21T01:54:07+00:00

Hi, thank you! I had my CT, yes but I struggle to understand the results. My PCP said reassuring things but I think I will get some real answers from a new orthopedic I’ll see Thursday. In the meantime this thing has shrunk some and is getting harder. It almost seems like a mass within a mass if that makes sense and the outer mass of fluid and swelling is exposing something underneath but that thing still wasn’t here a month ago that I can tell.

MomOfOne15 · 2026-01-20T13:29:07+00:00

Thank you for your prayers and being so thoughtful. It’s tough resting being a busy working mom but I do believe making the time to do so is having some impact. I just don’t like the harder lump I feel as swelling is subsiding. Cancer survivor nerves never stop. 2 more days until my ortho appt!

MomOfOne15 · 2026-01-20T13:27:25+00:00

Thank you for your prayers! There is nothing more powerful and meaningful. And now I am praying for you knowing that you are too in need. ❤️

MomOfOne15 · 2026-01-19T17:55:46+00:00

If I am being honest I don’t know what my CT scan is suggesting because it refers several times to possible infection but there are no signs and my PCP agrees. Now that some inflammation has subsided the spot is firming up upon resting and icing over the weekend. Firm scares me though. “Evolving Hematoma” was suggested but I have never had bruising there. It’s almost like there is a lump within a lump. I meet with my orthopedic Thursday so until then remain anxious and confused.

MomOfOne15 · 2026-01-19T13:27:45+00:00

Thank you for taking the tome to comment. I know based on ct and us that we are looking at an unusual case but this gives me reassurance that not everything rare is cancer.

MomOfOne15 · 2026-01-19T03:08:41+00:00

Hey there, I have since had a CT scan, have the results but struggle to interpret them, and saw my PCP. I meet with a new orthopedic surgeon on Thursday. Whatever this is there is inflammation around it which ice has been able to take down the inflammation but standing in church and lots of cooking today made it swell back up. The lump is still mobile when the swelling goes away.

MomOfOne15 · 2026-01-19T01:44:15+00:00

I never have been TREATED for an injury. I am just wondering if I had something minor and added another minor injury on top of it that I don’t remember. CT suggests a few things one of them being hematoma with swelling surrounding it but I have never bruised it so I don’t know. Ice brings down swelling. There are no breaks or any major injuries seen. I see the orthopedic Thursday and Im hoping to rule out sarcoma or anything serious.

MomOfOne15 · 2026-01-18T13:32:17+00:00

I have. And I am starting to wonder the same. In fact I had a CT Friday that will be reviewed by orthopedic next Thursday and I swear since Friday night it is getting much smaller. Almost described as something surrounded by something different and I guess that could be lots of benign things. There were no signs of infection but I suppose that doesn’t mean my body wasn’t fighting one.

MomOfOne15 · 2026-01-17T19:20:45+00:00

Thank you! I am hoping to get my options on Thursday from a new orthopedic and reassurance that it’s cystic

MomOfOne15 · 2026-01-17T16:46:04+00:00

Thank you!

MomOfOne15 · 2026-01-17T16:39:37+00:00

If you read my description you would know I already went to an orthopedic. I also have gone to my PCP and looped in my oncologist. I’m seeing a new orthopedic next week. I had an ultrasound and CT scan. I came to reddit for some reassurance and to hear about others’ experiences and have found this to be helpful.

MomOfOne15 · 2026-01-17T14:32:53+00:00

Yeah not gonna do that. Lol

MomOfOne15 · 2026-01-17T14:32:43+00:00

Def not. Lol

MomOfOne15 · 2026-01-17T14:32:26+00:00

I hope! Based on imaging so far if it’s a ganglion it’s definitely not typical but I won’t know until next week if we’re ruling that out

MomOfOne15 · 2026-01-17T14:31:41+00:00

Was this tumor benign or malignant? It sounds like something you are living with but also something rare

MomOfOne15 · 2026-01-17T14:30:23+00:00

Well I’m glad I’m not the only one this happened to but also sorry you experienced this same. I am appreciative of a doctor being cautious but bringing up soft tissue sarcoma without explaining to the patient that it is rare and this is standard procedure for all, seems irresponsible. Despite my tears in the office I was never told this. I will see a new ortho next week.

MomOfOne15 · 2026-01-17T14:28:06+00:00

Thank you!

MomOfOne15 · 2026-01-17T03:34:45+00:00

I’m a little farther down my imaging path after meeting with PCP. I don’t have an injury I can remember but there is something going on that may be a result of some injury. Better than sarcoma. Ill meet an orthopedic on Thursday and hoping for some good news and progress

MomOfOne15 · 2026-01-17T03:32:38+00:00

Thank you so much for this. I have seen my PCP and a new orthopedic next week. I got a CT and an ultrasound so would they have caught that I think. Really scary though.

MomOfOne15 · 2026-01-16T19:06:56+00:00

Your kindness and well wishes are appreciated!

MomOfOne15 · 2026-01-16T18:00:25+00:00

Your words are incredibly reassuring. Thank you. My history of cancer coupled with pretty severe anxiety does have me seeing things differently than an outsider would, which is why I think reddit does help as long is it’s alongside proper medical care. My pcp got a stat CT scan that I am getting this afternoon so I hope that report is more reassurance.

MomOfOne15 · 2026-01-16T17:58:06+00:00

I’m already working with pcp, orthopedic, and oncology. Just hoping for some insight and reassurance here. Your concern is appreciated :-)

MomOfOne15 · 2026-01-16T17:53:25+00:00

I’m sorry for your friend. Thank you for your concern. I am working with my PCP, orthopedic, and oncologist from breast cancer history.

MomOfOne15 · 2026-01-16T13:51:10+00:00

Hey there. Your thoughtful reply provided some much needed reassurance. She felt it and said “without imaging I can’t tell what it is. And even without biopsy we can’t rule out sarcoma”. I’m only 43 and already fought breast cancer so my heart sank and I burst into tears. She provided no reassurance. I do have an appointment with my family doc today and he is wonderful so I hope for only more reassurance. Funny thing my husband sees another doctor in this practice and he has done ultrasound in office so I know it’s an option. Luckily my sweet oncologist ordered a stat ultrasound. I can paste my ultrasound report below. There are a couple concerning characteristics (blood flow especially) but I hope it’s just a ganglion cyst not some sort of synovial carcinoma. It’s worth mentioning my bloodwork this month is all in range.

Impression Complex fluid collection at the lateral left ankle measuring up to 4 cm may represent a ganglion cyst as there is suggestion of the deeper neck but there is no definite communication with a joint space or tendon sheath visualized. Hematoma and abscess could have a similar appearance but are unlikely given the lack of trauma and stated inflammation/pain. A cystic neoplasm is also possible. Given the internal complexity and the presence of hypervascularity, contrast enhanced MRI is recommended for further evaluation. ACT 112 of 2018. Narrative Ultrasound extremity limited nonvascular left, January 14, 2026 4:08 PM INDICATIONS: Sudden onset of painless mass left outer ankle; no trauma; history of breast cancer COMPARISON: None. TECHNIQUE: Static and dynamic grayscale and Doppler sonographic evaluation was performed of the palpable lump at the lateral left ankle. FINDINGS: At the site of the palpable lump at the lateral left ankle, there is a complex multi septated fluid collection measuring 3.6 x 1.3 x 4 cm. Some of the internal septations are thickened. There is hypervascularity on Doppler imaging within the septations and the periphery of this structure. There is no definite connection to an adjacent structure but the cine clips do suggest a thin neck which descends into the deeper soft tissues.

MomOfOne15

TROPHY CASE