Just a couple of days ago I noticed a large lump that clearly stands out on the back of my son's leg. It made me nervous because of its size in comparison to his body size -- about an inch and a half in diameter. I pressed on it a little and he said that it didn't hurt at all. Since it moved around when I touched it, I thought it might be a cyst. However, after a sonogram today, his pediatrician said it was a varicose vein and that blood had pooled there. She said that it wasn't life threatening, but that it would be good to have it surgically removed and has recommended two pediatric vascular surgeons here in Phoenix to consider.
Of course, I'm filled with questions.....how common is this? Is it hormone-related? (My son turns 15 in three weeks.) If not hormones, what causes varicose veins? Will he always have this condition? What are the problems if a varicose vein is left untreated? Are there any related conditions I should know about?
I really appreciate any insight!