Armpit lump

Definition

An armpit lump refers to enlargement of one or more lymph nodes under the arm.

Alternative Names

Lump in the armpit; Localized lymphadenopathy - armpit; Axillary lymphadenopathy; Axillary lymph enlargement; Lymph nodes enlargement - axillary; Axillary abscess

Considerations

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). 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 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.

Causes

• Bacterial infection
  • Arm or breast infection
  • Cat scratch disease
  • Ascending lymphangitis
  • Lymphadenitis
• Cancer
  • Hodgkin's lymphoma
  • Leukemia
  • Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma
• Fungal
  • Sporotrichosis
• Other
  • Benign (harmless) cyst
  • Lipomas (harmless fatty growths)
  • Normal breast tissue (breast tissue extends into the armpit area)
• Vaccinations
  • Allergic reaction possibly caused by sulfa drugs, iodine, or penicillin
  • Measles, mumps, rubella vaccine (rare)
  • Smallpox vaccination
  • Typhoid vaccine
• Viral infection
  • AIDS
  • Chickenpox
  • Infectious mononucleosis
  • Shingles (herpes zoster)

References

Oguz A, Karadeniz C, Temel EA Citak EC, Okur FV. Evaluation of peripheral lymphadenopathy in children. Pediatr Hematol Oncol. 2006;23(7):549-561.

Zakaria S, Johnson R, Pockaj BA, Degnim AC. Breast cancer presenting as unilateral arm edema. J Gen Intern Med. 2007; 22(5):675-676.

Henry PH, Longo DL. Enlargement of lymph nodes and spleen. In: Kasper DL, Braunwald E, Anthony S. Fauci AS, eds. Harrison’s Internal Medicine. 16th ed. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill; 2005.