Well My syrian hamster Maxii, Has a hard lump on his right back leg. He is acting normally but I recently had a hamster that died due to a lump growing in her mouth... but it doesn't look the same so I don't think it is the same thing... which the vet said to be a tumor or cyst etc. I can't stop worrying about it because I love him so much and I'm not willing to loose another hamster over a horrid illness. Its About 2.5cm long and about 1cm wide. I am currently looking after a female hamster that is in the same room so could it be that its related to him wanting to be with her (y'no what I mean) Please Help Me... xx

Sadly cancer and tumors in hamsters is very common.

How old is Maxii?

I had a female rat who had a tumor. If it is it can be operated on but my vet said it was likely to come back. If its just a cyst its no big deal and shouldn't bother him. I guess have the vet determine if its is a tumor or a cyst and go from there

If he's reacting normally, aside from having a lump on his leg, it might just be an abscess. My guinea pig had one on her throat that was huge! Brought her to the vet and they put a drain in it that I had to clean out every night. Once it went down in size and cleared up she lived a long happy life.

It's really hard to know though, what it could be unless a vet takes a look at it.