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What Causes Swollen Lump In Armpit?
Question: I have swollen lump in my armpit, and the area feels like there is a build up of fluid, also experiencing pain in upper left abdomen area just at base of my rib cage. and swelling all below my armpit as well down rib area. I had recent abdominal ultra sound and its clean, because i thought pain was abdominally related due to past issues with gangrene of gallbladder, and obstructed bile duct. Also loss in appetite. Just no real desire for food.
Brief Answer:
further information needed
Detailed Answer:
Hi, thanks for posting the concern in the HCM.
Firstly, the history provided by you is incomplete in the sense that the following information are lacking:
1. Your age in completed years
2. Your gender
3. The duration of the problem
4. Whether you have pain in the lump area
5. How many days back you had your gall bladder problem
6. Whether you have associated fever
7. Whether you smoke
8. Any other history of past illness or surgery
9. Whether you have any known illness, like diabetes, thyroid disorder, hypertension etc.
Now, considering the symptoms, I assume that it is a painless XXXXXXX lump which have cystic feeling. Considering the location, this may be an enlarged lymph node. Underarm cyst may also present in that manner. But, in case of infection or allergic reaction to antiperspirants or other cosmetic products, the area becomes red, painful and inflammed.
The pain in upper left abdomen along with loss of appetite may be unrelated and due to dyspepsia. As abdominal USG is normal, the chance of liver disease or GB pathology can be excluded. So, a peptic ulcer disease non ulcer dyspepsis may be the reason of the latter problem. Or, this may be related to the armpit problem, in case it is an enlarged lymph node. If so, we need then to rule out malignancy, tuberculosis etc.
So, I would suggest you to write back with detailed history or consult your local surgeon at the earliest to diagnose your problem.
If you are satisfied with the answer, please close the thread and rate my answer.
Regards,
Dr. Kaushik Sarkar
further information needed
Detailed Answer:
Hi, thanks for posting the concern in the HCM.
Firstly, the history provided by you is incomplete in the sense that the following information are lacking:
1. Your age in completed years
2. Your gender
3. The duration of the problem
4. Whether you have pain in the lump area
5. How many days back you had your gall bladder problem
6. Whether you have associated fever
7. Whether you smoke
8. Any other history of past illness or surgery
9. Whether you have any known illness, like diabetes, thyroid disorder, hypertension etc.
Now, considering the symptoms, I assume that it is a painless XXXXXXX lump which have cystic feeling. Considering the location, this may be an enlarged lymph node. Underarm cyst may also present in that manner. But, in case of infection or allergic reaction to antiperspirants or other cosmetic products, the area becomes red, painful and inflammed.
The pain in upper left abdomen along with loss of appetite may be unrelated and due to dyspepsia. As abdominal USG is normal, the chance of liver disease or GB pathology can be excluded. So, a peptic ulcer disease non ulcer dyspepsis may be the reason of the latter problem. Or, this may be related to the armpit problem, in case it is an enlarged lymph node. If so, we need then to rule out malignancy, tuberculosis etc.
So, I would suggest you to write back with detailed history or consult your local surgeon at the earliest to diagnose your problem.
If you are satisfied with the answer, please close the thread and rate my answer.
Regards,
Dr. Kaushik Sarkar
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
I am a female to male transexual. I am 38 years of age. I apply 1 tube of testim daily for my transition. I had my gallbladder removed a year and a half ago, and an ERCP for bile duct stones a year ago. I do not smoke, nor have fever. I have had a double bi lateral mastectomy for gender re assignment surgery back in 2011. no known health issues. my mother had breast cancer last year, my grandfather died of lymphoma, and his father stomach cancer. I was taking metformin for PCOS and recently stopped taking it from the severe acid reflux that it was causing. I had a doctor feel the lump last week, and it said it feels "doughy" and it couldn't say what it was. ordered an ultra sound. I am on Medi-cal currently and feel I dont get the best care, and wanted to gain another opinion. Thank you for your time.
Brief Answer:
Rule out malignancy
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for giving a detailed history.
Now, I think the symptoms are not related.
The "doughy" mass in your armpit is the one which needs urgent attention. As you have a family history of so many cancer patients, even a first degree relative with cancer, the chance a malignancy should be ruled out as early as possible. Your doctor was absolutely correct in advising you to get an USG done. But, this is not the end of the investigation. The USG would tell what the mass is or at least its actual site of origin. You may need FNAC or HPE to know whether it is malignant or not. The line of evaluation is- history-physical examination-routine blood examination+USG of the mass-biopsy or any other special test. You have crossed the first two stations of evaluation; you need to check more. Once the diagnosis is finalized, plan for definitive management can be done. But please don't get stressed out. The doughy feeling of the mass along with its location compels me to think about lymphangioma of armpit, which is a benign condition. But, of course, I would again remind you that malignancy must be ruled out as early as possible by appropriate investigations.
Now, regarding your second problem of dyspepsia, I would say, such problems are pretty common in people with their gall bladder removed. In addition you have a history of gastroesophageal reflux. It may be drug induced. But, I think it was preexisting, and the metformin had only aggravated it. And, believe me, gastroesophageal reflux is a very nagging condition. From my experience, I can tell you people often need prolonged treatment for GERD. You can start taking Levosulpiride extended release preparation once daily before breakfast. This is marketed in the name of Tab Neopride SR. You may need to get an upper gi endoscopy done along with tests for H. pylorie particularly because you have a family history of stomach cancer.
Hope my answer could give you at least some information. If you are satisfied with the answer please close the thread and rate my answer.
Regards,
Dr. Kaushik sarkar
Rule out malignancy
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for giving a detailed history.
Now, I think the symptoms are not related.
The "doughy" mass in your armpit is the one which needs urgent attention. As you have a family history of so many cancer patients, even a first degree relative with cancer, the chance a malignancy should be ruled out as early as possible. Your doctor was absolutely correct in advising you to get an USG done. But, this is not the end of the investigation. The USG would tell what the mass is or at least its actual site of origin. You may need FNAC or HPE to know whether it is malignant or not. The line of evaluation is- history-physical examination-routine blood examination+USG of the mass-biopsy or any other special test. You have crossed the first two stations of evaluation; you need to check more. Once the diagnosis is finalized, plan for definitive management can be done. But please don't get stressed out. The doughy feeling of the mass along with its location compels me to think about lymphangioma of armpit, which is a benign condition. But, of course, I would again remind you that malignancy must be ruled out as early as possible by appropriate investigations.
Now, regarding your second problem of dyspepsia, I would say, such problems are pretty common in people with their gall bladder removed. In addition you have a history of gastroesophageal reflux. It may be drug induced. But, I think it was preexisting, and the metformin had only aggravated it. And, believe me, gastroesophageal reflux is a very nagging condition. From my experience, I can tell you people often need prolonged treatment for GERD. You can start taking Levosulpiride extended release preparation once daily before breakfast. This is marketed in the name of Tab Neopride SR. You may need to get an upper gi endoscopy done along with tests for H. pylorie particularly because you have a family history of stomach cancer.
Hope my answer could give you at least some information. If you are satisfied with the answer please close the thread and rate my answer.
Regards,
Dr. Kaushik sarkar
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Bhagyalaxmi Nalaparaju
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