Finding a lump in the armpit can be concerning. While many armpit lumps are benign and resolve without intervention, some may indicate a more serious condition. This article explains different types of armpit lumps and when to seek medical advice.
Identifying Concerning Lumps
Cancerous lumps often have specific characteristics. Visually, they may be irregularly shaped and cause skin changes like dimpling, redness, or a thickened, puckered “orange peel” texture. They also tend to grow over time.
When touched, a cancerous lump usually feels hard or rubbery and may be immobile, fixed to the underlying tissue. While some can be painful, many are painless; therefore, the absence of pain does not rule out cancer.
Other symptoms can accompany a cancerous armpit lump. These include unexplained weight loss, persistent fatigue, fever, or night sweats, which might suggest a systemic condition like lymphoma. Such symptoms, combined with the lump’s physical characteristics, warrant further investigation.
Understanding Non-Cancerous Lumps
Many armpit lumps are non-cancerous and stem from common, less severe conditions. Lymph nodes, which are part of the immune system, are numerous in the armpit and can swell due to infections or inflammation. These swollen lymph nodes are typically soft, movable, and often tender or painful, unlike many cancerous lumps. Vaccinations, such as flu shots, can also cause temporary swelling.
Cysts, such as sebaceous or epidermal cysts, are another common cause. They are usually movable, soft to firm, and often painless. A small pore or blackhead may be visible on a sebaceous cyst, which forms when a gland’s duct is blocked. Infected cysts can become swollen, painful, and discolored.
Lipomas are benign fatty tumors. They typically feel soft, are movable under the skin, and are generally painless. These growths are usually slow-growing and are not dangerous.
Other inflammatory conditions or infections can also cause lumps. Folliculitis (inflamed hair follicles) or abscesses (collections of pus) can result in painful, red, swollen lumps. Hidradenitis suppurativa is a chronic skin condition causing painful, recurring boil-like lumps and abscesses, often in the armpit. Ingrown hairs are a localized cause, usually presenting as a painful lump.
When to Consult a Doctor
Consult a healthcare professional for any armpit lump that causes concern. A lump persisting for more than a few weeks or not resolving on its own should be evaluated. Lumps showing changes like increased size, hardening, or altered shape or texture require medical attention.
Specific warning signs include skin changes over the lump, such as new redness, dimpling, or thickening. New or worsening pain, or any discharge from the lump, also indicates a need for evaluation. Systemic symptoms like unexplained weight loss, fever, or night sweats accompanying an armpit lump are also reasons to seek medical advice.
Medical Evaluation Steps
A doctor’s evaluation for an armpit lump typically begins with a physical examination. The doctor assesses the lump’s size, texture, mobility, and any associated skin changes or tenderness. This initial assessment helps understand the lump’s nature.
Imaging tests are often the next step to visualize the lump. An ultrasound is commonly used as a first-line imaging method to provide detailed images and differentiate between solid masses and fluid-filled cysts. A mammogram may also be performed, especially if breast tissue is involved or breast cancer is suspected. An MRI might be considered if ultrasound and mammography results are inconclusive.
To determine the lump’s definitive nature, especially if cancer is suspected, a biopsy is often performed. This procedure involves taking a tissue sample for laboratory analysis. Fine-needle aspiration (FNA) or core needle biopsy are common methods. Biopsy results provide a conclusive diagnosis, guiding subsequent treatment decisions.