Chest-wall tuberculosis happens when TB bacteria settle in the ribs, cartilage, or nearby soft tissue. It moves slowly, so symptoms can smolder for weeks before a lump finally shows up.

Dull, persistent chest pain is the first clue. It feels like a bruise that won’t go away and gets worse when you breathe deep or roll over at night.

Low-grade fever and night sweats creep in. You feel cold one minute, hot the next, and wake up soaked.

Swelling appears late. A firm, painless lump forms over a rib, growing slowly until the skin turns red or purple.

Pus drainage can start if the mass breaks through the skin, leaving a small hole that leaks cheesy or bloody fluid.

Weight loss and fatigue follow. Clothes feel looser, and naps don’t help even though appetite is poor.

Late signs include a hard, fixed mass or continuous drainage—an alarm that the infection has destroyed bone.