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Cancer > Breast Cancer Forum > Puffy swelling in armpit
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Q: Puffy swelling in armpit
asked by: MayV on August 29th, 2009
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About six weeks ago, I started to have underarm odor. This has never, ever been typical of me. I use an unscented gel anti-perspirant deodorant for sensitive skin. I tried a different brand--no change. I have NOT increased sweating.

Days after noticing the odor change, I woke up one morning because of a deep, deep prickly itch in my right armpit. I didn't want to scratch, so I just pressed on it, which did nothing. The feeling went away hours later.

About a month ago, I was lying back with my arm over my head and I felt that the entire lower part of my right armpit was swollen. I can cup my left palm over it and it has the curve of maybe a tennis ball or racquet ball. This swelling is not hard. I thought it was just fat, but it's well defined. The puffy swelling is not painful, but I do have mild pain in my breast (since March). I just had a mammogram in May and mentioned the breast pain (no swelling then) but I was told that my mammogram was OK. I have smaller painless, soft puffiness in the hollow above my clavicle, same side. If this isn't a breast problem, what is it?
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Dr. Robert Wascher , MD
replied on August 30th, 2009
It is difficult for any physician to offer as specific diagnosis for the symptoms that you describe over the internet, and so I will offer some general throughts.

First of all, some women have a significant amount of breast tissue in the armpit area (axillary breast tissue). In most cases, this is a benign condition, although axillary breast tissue can develop lumps (including breast cancers) just like the breast tissue within the breast itself. Also, one can develop benign fatty tumors (lipomas) under the skin anywhere in the body, including the armpit area and in the area above the clavicles.

Enlarged lymph nodes (in the armpit area and above the clavicle) can also sometimes be felt by patients or their doctors. If enlarged, then palpable lymph nodes in these area may be due to a reaction to inflammation or infection or, much less commonly, due to cancer.

You should have the physician who does your annual "well woman" exam assess you further for these possibilities.

Sincerely/ Robert A. Wascher, MD, FACS

http://doctorwascher.com






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