I have a lump in my armpit?!
Question: It's smaller than a pea and hard. It doesn't hurt and I can normally pick it up under the skin with my finbers. I've had it couple of years and every so often (like now) it swells up - this time it's about kidney bean size but it's been bigger. I also can't grip it.
Is this a sign I'm fighting an infection?
I remember looking up about it online ages ago and it seemed to be something to do with that.
Answers: It's smaller than a pea and hard. It doesn't hurt and I can normally pick it up under the skin with my finbers. I've had it couple of years and every so often (like now) it swells up - this time it's about kidney bean size but it's been bigger. I also can't grip it.
Is this a sign I'm fighting an infection?
I remember looking up about it online ages ago and it seemed to be something to do with that.
A small lump in the armpit that has been present for years and changes in size and is painless is most likely a lymph node. Common sites for them are the armpits and the groins. The are the result of the body fighting local infections with the nodes filtering the debris. Active infection causes pain, swelling redness,and warmth without these active infection is not present.
Before I read your story, I was thinking the culprit could be yoru deodorant as some can cause blockages. But after I read it, I agree, it could be your body fighting an infection.
I would go to the doctor to be sure.
You have a lot of lymph nodes under your armpit as well as other places in your body (neck, under the collar bone, in the groin area) and these can sometimes feel like a little hard pea or something similar to that. If it isn't painful and gets bigger when you are sick, it is probably a lymph node and is helping your immunity. If the lump gets larger or if you are concerned, ask your doctor about it during your physical and she should be able to feel it during your breast exam and tell you if its normal. In my opinion, if it is getting bigger and smaller, it is probably one of the many lymph nodes in your armpit.
Hi dear, Don't worry. dear. It seems you are afraid to tell the suspected disease name, CANCER!.
Before giving any advise first i will tell my own, true story of my life experience with a lump which was noticed in my 5th age long back in1957( in the left side neck area, very much visible). Now i am 55 years young! mind it young and still enjoying life.
First like yours it started growing very very slowly , and when it was auckward to look at my 16th age, my parents took me a doctor in a small town called ooty, where i lived in south india. like yours it had not caused any problem but the look, any one see me ask me what is that under your chin on the left side of the neck. then, There as per doctor's advice they made an excision biopsy. That is nothing but remove that compleetly and sending for test in commen man's language. The biopsy result was immelignaent. That is not cancerous.
Then again in five years the same growth now a little faster growth of another lump just below the previous lump grouth was coming up and in my 21rst age , i had to grow a beard to camafluage it. Again a biopsy was done and the operated piece was sent for testing and diognosing. The result came as non hodgekin stage II-a cancer. So i went to Chennai a big city where all the facilities for cancer is available (CANCER INSTIUTE ADAYAR) I got treated with 4000 rads of radiation and three chemo theraphy injections. I kept the whole thing as a secret and i lost weight and hair. But not my confidence and courage, becouse i had a wife and three young sons to take care of. I had contacted cancer club.com . and exchanged emails on cancer with christian clifford, a famous cancer affected and a journalist.
Now back to your problem, my advise is do not worry, it may be nothing if you are young go for a test with a good repeat good docter, an oncologist better. and make a excision biopsy(that is nothing but taking away the lump fully and sending it for a test) Wait for the result. Even the result if it is positive, do not worry, not like those days. now the m,edical world has improved so much. nothing will happen you will be cured.
Another advise, if you feel you cannot spend for all this, and if the lump is causing no problem , leave it till it bothers you. FURGET ABOUT THE LUMP AND ENJOY YOUR LIVING IN THIS WORLD.