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What Do Lumps In Armpit Indicate?

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Posted on Thu, 6 Nov 2014
Question: Hi. I think I may have lipomas in my left armpit. I noticed them one day while in the shower and thought may
be it was an ingrown. The lump or lumps have now gone down in size a bit. They are rubbery and feel like they are fixed in one place and are not painful. I have not been sick nor have changed my deodarant/antipersperant. It has been a month since finding them and I think they are continuing to get smaller, slowly. I am 34. A female. Kids. Average build. I would just like to perhaps get some reassurance that I shouldn't have anything to worry about. What do you think? Thanks for your time.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Shafi Ullah Khan (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Multiple etiologies, need evaluation

Detailed Answer:
Thank you for asking

Lumps in axilla are most likely lymph nodes swelling and they need to be evaluated for suspicions in a woman of your age. If you are breastfeeding then they may be mere an infection related swelling. In polycystic ovaries or hormonal imbalances, it may enlarge too.

Lumps in the armpit may have many causes. Lymph nodes are filters that can catch germs or cancerous tumor cells. When they do, lymph nodes increase in size and are easily felt.
Cysts and infections of the skin of the armpit may be caused by shaving or use of antiperspirants (not deodorants). This is most often seen in teens just beginning to shave.
Abscesses under the skin may also produce large, painful lumps in the armpit.
Other causes of armpit lumps may include:
AIDS
Arm or breast infection
Cat scratch disease
Cancers such as lymphoma or breast cancer
Chickenpox
Infectious mononucleosis
Lipomas (harmless fatty growths)
Normal breast tissue (breast tissue extends into the armpit area)
Use of certain medicines or vaccinations
Shingles (herpes zoster)

Not to panic but i suggest get a complete physical examination and clinical correlation for better management. They are already going down in size which is a good thing.

I hope it helps. Take good care of yourself and dont forget to close the discussion please.

May the odds be ever in your favour.

Regards
Khan
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Shafi Ullah Khan

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2012

Answered : 3613 Questions

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What Do Lumps In Armpit Indicate?

Brief Answer: Multiple etiologies, need evaluation Detailed Answer: Thank you for asking Lumps in axilla are most likely lymph nodes swelling and they need to be evaluated for suspicions in a woman of your age. If you are breastfeeding then they may be mere an infection related swelling. In polycystic ovaries or hormonal imbalances, it may enlarge too. Lumps in the armpit may have many causes. Lymph nodes are filters that can catch germs or cancerous tumor cells. When they do, lymph nodes increase in size and are easily felt. Cysts and infections of the skin of the armpit may be caused by shaving or use of antiperspirants (not deodorants). This is most often seen in teens just beginning to shave. Abscesses under the skin may also produce large, painful lumps in the armpit. Other causes of armpit lumps may include: AIDS Arm or breast infection Cat scratch disease Cancers such as lymphoma or breast cancer Chickenpox Infectious mononucleosis Lipomas (harmless fatty growths) Normal breast tissue (breast tissue extends into the armpit area) Use of certain medicines or vaccinations Shingles (herpes zoster) Not to panic but i suggest get a complete physical examination and clinical correlation for better management. They are already going down in size which is a good thing. I hope it helps. Take good care of yourself and dont forget to close the discussion please. May the odds be ever in your favour. Regards Khan