Understanding a Lump and Weight Loss: Next Steps in New York, NY

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Feeling a Lump and Experiencing Weight Loss? A Guide to Your Next Healthcare Steps in New York, NY

Noticing a lump under your skin along with unexplained weight loss and fatigue can understandably be worrying. It’s natural to feel concerned when your body is sending signals that something might not be quite right. You might be wondering if these symptoms are related or if they might indicate something serious like cancer. If you’ve been searching for guidance on what to do next, you’re in the right place.

This post is here to help you understand what types of healthcare providers you might see for these symptoms, what kinds of exams or tests they may perform, and an estimate of what those visits could cost if you are self-paying or want to be informed ahead of time. Taking the first step to see a medical professional is important, and knowing what to expect can ease some of the uncertainty.

Who to See for Your Symptoms in New York, NY

Given your symptoms—a lump and unexplained weight loss—there are several types of doctors who could be a good starting point:

  • Family Practice Doctor: A generalist who can evaluate a wide range of symptoms, order basic tests, and guide you on next steps or referrals. They often serve as the first stop for new or unexplained health concerns.
  • Internal Medicine Doctor: A specialist in adult health who can provide a thorough examination, manage complex symptoms, and coordinate diagnostic testing to help understand your condition.
  • Medical Oncologist: A doctor who specializes in diagnosing and treating cancers. If your lump or weight loss raises suspicion of cancer, they may be involved in further evaluations and treatment.
  • Hematology-Oncologist: A specialist who focuses on blood diseases and cancers. This type of doctor may assess symptoms related to blood disorders or cancers affecting the bone marrow or immune system.

Starting with a Family Practice or Internal Medicine doctor can often be the best approach to receive an initial evaluation and guidance. If necessary, they will refer you to oncology specialists for more focused care.

What to Expect: Initial Visits and Estimated Costs

Here’s an overview of common procedures performed by providers in New York, NY, along with estimated self-pay costs to help you prepare.

Visit with a Family Practice Doctor

  • Procedure: Established patient office or other outpatient visit, 30-39 minutes (CPT Code: 99214)

  • Purpose: This visit allows the doctor to discuss your symptoms, examine the lump, and review your weight loss and fatigue. It helps identify what further tests or referrals may be needed.

  • Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $225.02 (typically ranges from $168.77 to $281.28)

  • Provider Availability: This estimate is based on 734 providers in the New York, NY area.

  • Procedure: Complete blood cell count (CBC), automated test and automated differential (CPT Code: 85025)

  • Purpose: A blood test to check your red and white blood cells and platelets, which can reveal infections or blood disorders.

  • Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $13.43 (typically ranges from $9.10 to $17.76)

  • Provider Availability: 36 providers in the area.

  • Procedure: Immunologic analysis for tumor antigen detection, quantitative; CA 125 (CPT Code: 86304)

  • Purpose: A blood test that detects specific proteins sometimes linked to cancers.

  • Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $32.62 (ranges from $24.47 to $40.78)

  • Provider Availability: 1 provider in the area.

  • Procedure: Removal of noncancer skin growth (CPT Code: 11400)

  • Purpose: If the lump appears non-threatening but requires removal for diagnosis or relief, this procedure helps remove it safely.

  • Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $215.34 (ranges from $161.51 to $269.18)

  • Provider Availability: 1 provider in the area.

Visit with an Internal Medicine Doctor

  • Procedure: Established patient office or other outpatient visit, 30-39 minutes (CPT Code: 99214)

  • Purpose: A thorough examination and discussion about your symptoms, including your lump and weight loss.

  • Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $221.20 (typically ranges from $165.90 to $276.50)

  • Provider Availability: 2,373 providers in the New York area.

  • Procedure: Insertion of needle into vein for blood collection (CPT Code: 36415)

  • Purpose: Needed to collect blood samples for lab analysis to check for causes of symptoms.

  • Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $12.93 (ranges from $9.70 to $16.16)

  • Provider Availability: 1,537 providers.

  • Procedure: Pathology examination of tissue (CPT Code: 88305)

  • Purpose: If a biopsy (sample of tissue) is taken, this test helps identify whether abnormal cells are present.

  • Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $82.84 (ranges from $48.34 to $117.34)

  • Provider Availability: 5 providers.

  • Procedure: Biopsy of related skin growth (CPT Code: 11102)

  • Purpose: A small sample of the lump may be removed to determine its nature, whether benign or malignant.

  • Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $157.57 (ranges from $118.18 to $196.96)

  • Provider Availability: 4 providers.

  • Procedure: Complete blood cell count (CBC) (CPT Code: 85025)

  • Purpose: Same as described under Family Practice.

  • Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $15.74 (ranges from $9.12 to $22.37)

  • Provider Availability: 106 providers.

Visit with a Medical Oncologist

  • Procedure: Established patient office or other outpatient visit, 30-39 minutes (CPT Code: 99214)

  • Purpose: Specialized evaluation if cancer is suspected from your symptoms or previous tests.

  • Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $217.99 (ranges from $140.57 to $295.40)

  • Provider Availability: 303 providers.

  • Procedure: Biopsy and aspiration of bone marrow sample for diagnosis (CPT Code: 38222)

  • Purpose: A test to look deeper into blood and marrow if blood cancers are suspected, helping guide treatment.

  • Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $348.36 (ranges from $168.05 to $528.67)

  • Provider Availability: 9 providers.

  • Procedure: Complete blood cell count (CBC) (CPT Code: 85025)

  • Purpose: As described above.

  • Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $35.87 (ranges from $9.11 to $62.64)

  • Provider Availability: 15 providers.

  • Procedure: Immunologic analysis technique on serum (immunofixation) (CPT Code: 86334)

  • Purpose: Detects abnormal proteins in the blood which can indicate certain cancers.

  • Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $46.00 (ranges from $26.00 to $66.00)

  • Provider Availability: 8 providers.

  • Procedure: Immunologic analysis for detection of tumor antigen CA 125 (CPT Code: 86304)

  • Purpose: Similar to the test described under Family Practice.

  • Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $32.50 (ranges from $24.37 to $40.62)

  • Provider Availability: 4 providers.

Visit with a Hematology-Oncology Specialist

  • Procedure: Established patient office or other outpatient visit, 30-39 minutes (CPT Code: 99214)

  • Purpose: Detailed review and management of blood-related disorders or cancers possibly related to your symptoms.

  • Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $205.56 (ranges from $151.07 to $260.06)

  • Provider Availability: 284 providers.

  • Procedure: Needle insertion for blood collection (CPT Code: 36415)

  • Purpose: As above, for collecting blood for testing.

  • Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $12.88 (ranges from $9.66 to $16.10)

  • Provider Availability: 125 providers.

  • Procedure: Complete blood cell count (CPT Code: 85025)

  • Purpose: Same as previously described.

  • Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $27.44 (ranges from $9.05 to $45.82)

  • Provider Availability: 73 providers.

  • Procedure: Immunologic analysis on serum (immunofixation) (CPT Code: 86334)

  • Purpose: As above for detecting abnormal blood proteins.

  • Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $46.05 (ranges from $26.10 to $66.00)

  • Provider Availability: 21 providers.

  • Procedure: Bone marrow biopsy and aspiration (CPT Code: 38222)

  • Purpose: As above, for diagnosing blood cancers or disorders.

  • Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $430.81 (ranges from $229.22 to $632.39)

  • Provider Availability: 14 providers.

Your symptoms deserve prompt and professional evaluation. Here’s what you can do next:

  1. Schedule an Appointment: Contact a Family Practice or Internal Medicine doctor in New York, NY, for an initial evaluation. If needed, they will refer you to a specialist like an oncologist.
  2. Prepare for Your Visit: Write down all your symptoms — including when they started and any changes — along with questions or concerns you want to discuss.
  3. Discuss Costs Ahead: When booking, ask the provider’s office about costs and ask if they accept your insurance or offer any financial assistance. The prices mentioned here are estimates for self-pay patients.
  4. Stay Reassured: While it’s natural to worry, many lumps and weight changes are due to non-serious causes. Getting checked by a healthcare professional is the best way to understand your health and find peace of mind.

Need Help Navigating Your Options?

Finding affordable, trustworthy care can be confusing, especially if you’re uninsured or new to the system. That’s why we built Transparent Health: a tool to help you understand your options and find the right provider for your needs.

Disclaimer: This blog post offers general information that is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have concerns about your health, please seek immediate care from a licensed healthcare provider.