lump in arm/armpit

[colletteP]

hi, I have a medium sixed lump just under my armpit, it isnt hard but has been there now for over three months. Should I check with doctors or because its not hard should i leave it?

[Dr_Aparna]

Hi,
An armpit lump refers to enlargement of one or more lymph nodes under the arm.
Lumps 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).
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 tumor cells. When they do, lymph nodes increase in size and are easily felt.
A breast self-examination should always include the armpit because breast cancer can enlarge the armpit lymph nodes even when the breast itself seems perfectly normal.
ref:http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003099.htm
So you need to go and have it examined at the earliest.

[traceyz]

Hello my friend,

Okay about the lump under the armpit thing. I dont want to scare you but definately go get it checked out. I had a lump under my arm, got a breast exam which there was no BREAST lump felt. Less than a year later I was diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer.

Yours is probably NOT cancer but just to be safe dont put it off as the lump under my arm was not hard either. Cancerous breast lumps are whats hard not armpit nodes.

Good luck to you I know you are fine but just go to the doc and get some peace of mind.

Take Care,

Tracey

[missn74]

Hey there


You're way past that

It could be a type of swollen lymph node
try putting on a hot compress on the area a few times a day
it takes about 2 weeks to heal but since you left there for 3 months i would consider the doctors

[dalycity]

Well, 1.5 years ago, I found a pea size lump under my arm. very near my armpit.  It turned out to be IDC.  Doc said the tumor is in the 'high-end' breast tissue because our breast tissue goes all the way under our arms. He said it's in an unusual place but technically it is still breast cancer.  Please check with your doctor to be sure, that way you can sleep well at nights!