Sugggest Treatment For Lump Under Right Armpit

Posted on Tue, 16 Sep 2014

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Tue, 16 Sep 2014 Answered on

Tue, 14 Oct 2014 Last reviewed on

Question : I have noticed a lump under my right armpit. I am a 70 year old male. I had prostate cancer removed in 2011 followed with eight weeks of raidiation. My PSA readings so far are 'zero'. Is it possible the lump is a sign that my cancer has returned or is it something I can just ignore?

Answered by Dr. Dr. Muhammad Sareer Khalil (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
metastases should be ruled out

Detailed Answer:
Hello and Welcome

I appreciate your concern.

Depending upon your history, the lump is a sign of concern and should not be ignored.

Initially a physical exam should be performed to determine the nature of the lump and rule out any local causes , allergies , cysts etc
A CBC and ESR or CRP should also be done and an infective cause should be excluded.

A biopsy can be done followed , if biopsy results are unsatisfactory , metastatic workup can be initiated via CT scans of the Brain , Abdomen and pelvis, Chest to see for any spread. If your prostate cancer has come back after treatment, the CT scan can often tell whether it is growing into other organs or structures in your pelvis.

If prostate cancer spreads to distant sites, it often goes to the bones first. A bone scan can help show whether cancer has reached the bones or not.

ProstaScint scans (a form of immunoscintigraphy) is an option , to identify cancer in the metastatic deposits. specificity isimproved when combined with single-photon emission CT (SPECT) imaging or CT scanning. ProstaScint scans are helpful in guiding decisions regarding radiation therapy.

Let me know if you have any query

wishing you best of health

Thanks

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj