What does a lump in armpit this large indicate?!

It started out as a boil, well a couple of boils not connected that was roughly 1/2 to 1 inch wide!. Now it is a good three inches wide with one boil now forming on the outer edges of my armpit!. It's starting to get really sore and feels hard!. And if it's an infection, under what circumstances would they have to cut it open to drain it!? It's been there almost three weeks altogether now!.Www@Answer-Health@Com

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