The document provides information on examining lumps or swellings. It discusses taking a history of the lump including duration, mode of onset, pain characteristics, progression, and family history. The physical examination is described including inspection of characteristics like size, shape, color, and palpation of temperature, tenderness, consistency, and relations to surrounding structures. Special investigations that may be used are listed such as blood tests, imaging like x-rays, ultrasound, CT, MRI, and biopsy. The diagnosis of a swelling involves determining if it is originating from the skin, subcutaneous tissue, muscles, vessels, nerves or bone. Characteristics of benign and malignant growths are compared.