An armpit lump refers to enlargement of one or more lymph nodes under the arm.
Alternative NamesLump in the armpit; Localized lymphadenopathy - armpit; Axillary lymphadenopathy; Axillary lymph enlargement; Lymph nodes enlargement - axillary; Axillary abscess
ConsiderationsLumps in the armpit have various causes. Cysts and infections on the surface of the skin of the armpit may be caused by shaving or use of antiperspirants (as opposed to deodorants). This occurs most frequently in adolescents just beginning to shave. Abscesses under the skin may also produce large, painful lumps in the armpit.
Lumps may occur when lymph nodes are swollen due to bacterial or viral infections, vaccinations, and cancer.
Lymph nodes are filters that can catch infectious organisms or cancerous tumorcells. When they do, lymph nodes increase in size and are easily felt. An armpit lump in a woman should be checked by a health care provider immediately, as it may be a sign of Breast cancer.
Common CausesHome care depends on the reason for the lump. Check with your health care provider to determine the cause.
Call your health care provider ifCall if you have any unexplained armpit lumps. Do not try to diagnose lumps without professional help.
What to expect at your health care provider's officeYour doctor will perform a physical examination and ask questions about your medical history and symptom, such as:
The physical examination may include palpation -- gently pressing the nodes with the fingertips.
Testing depends on what is found during the physical examination. Tests that may be done include:
OUTLOOK
A lump in the armpit caused by a viral infection will eventually disappear without treatment. A lump in the armpit caused by an allergic reaction will go away after the "trigger" is removed. No treatment is necessary for a lump in the armpit caused by normal breast tissue. Usually, no treatment is necessary for a cyst.
A lump in the armpit caused by a lipoma is harmless, unless it grows so large that it causes discomfort.
The outlook for cancerous lumps depends on the specific type of cancer. See the following for more information:
ReferencesArmitage JO. Approach to the patient with lymphadenopathy and splenomegaly. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier. 2007: chap 174.
Camitta Bm. Lymphadenopathy. In: Kliegman RM, Behrman RE, Jenson HB, Stanton BF, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 18th Ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007: chap 490.
Glover KY, Varadhachary GR, Lenzi R, Raber MN, Abbruzzese JL. Carcinoma of unknown primary. In: Abeloff MD, Armitage JO, Niederhuber JE, Kastan MB, McKenna WG, eds. Clinical Oncology. 4th ed. Philadelphia, Pa; Churchill Livingstone Elsevier; 2008: chap 98.
An armpit lump refers to enlargement of one or more lymph nodes under the arm.
Alternative NamesLump in the armpit; Localized lymphadenopathy - armpit; Axillary lymphadenopathy; Axillary lymph enlargement; Lymph nodes enlargement - axillary; Axillary abscess
ConsiderationsLumps in the armpit have various causes. Cysts and infections on the surface of the skin of the armpit may be caused by shaving or use of antiperspirants (as opposed to deodorants). This occurs most frequently in adolescents just beginning to shave. Abscesses under the skin may also produce large, painful lumps in the armpit.
Lumps may occur when lymph nodes are swollen due to bacterial or viral infections, vaccinations, and cancer.
Lymph nodes are filters that can catch infectious organisms or cancerous tumorcells. When they do, lymph nodes increase in size and are easily felt. An armpit lump in a woman should be checked by a health care provider immediately, as it may be a sign of breast cancer.
Common CausesHome care depends on the reason for the lump. Check with your health care provider to determine the cause.
Call your health care provider ifCall if you have any unexplained armpit lumps. Do not try to diagnose lumps without professional help.
What to expect at your health care provider's officeYour health care provider will perform a physical examination and ask questions about your medical history and symptom, such as:
The physical examination may include palpation -- gently pressing the nodes with the fingertips.
Testing depends on what is found during the physical examination. Tests that may be done include:
OUTLOOK
A lump in the armpit caused by a viral infection will eventually disappear without treatment. A lump in the armpit caused by an allergic reaction will go away after the "trigger" is removed. No treatment is necessary for a lump in the armpit caused by normal breast tissue. Usually, no treatment is necessary for a cyst.
A lump in the armpit caused by a lipoma is harmless, unless it grows so large that it causes discomfort.
The outlook for cancerous lumps depends on the specific type of cancer. See the following for more information:
ReferencesArmitage JO. Approach to the patient with lymphadenopathy and splenomegaly. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 24th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2011:chap 171.
Tower RL II, Camitta BM. Lymphadenopathy. In: Kliegman RM, Behrman RE, Jenson HB, Stanton BF, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 19th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2011:chap 484.
Reviewed ByReview Date: 08/12/2011
Linda Vorvick, MD, Medical Director, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
a clump or a lump? a lump could be an ingrown hair
A small lump in the armpit is probably an inflamed lymph node. It can be caused by allergies, infection, and hormonal changes in the body.
Yup ! Mostly like it is ingrown hair ~
Under your armpit could be breast cancer. It is best you go see a doctor.
what would it be with a lump under the armpit
it depends. It can either be a harmless lymph node, or a sign of breast cancer.
call the doctor!??? might just be glands?
Armpit and X-ray decide Caveman is tough because Caveman stood up to the Lump.
a lump in your armpit that hurts is usually a swollen gland . for example when females shave sometimes it gets irritated and the gland swells for a few days if it doesnt go down within a week i would suggest going to the doctors
I dont know but I got one on my armpit I tried to pop thinking it was a pimple.
It could be a glandular problem, or simply a fatty lump - HOWEVER - if you're worried, see your doctor !
It is possible. Get to the doctors so that you can have it examined and properly diagnosed, a lump on or near the breast is nothing to play around with.