Join Our Community!
Share
Cancer > Lymphoma Forum > Swollen lymph node under armpit
Avatar
Q: Swollen lymph node under armpit
asked by: chrispywheats on April 6th, 2009
New User
I am a 38 year old female and have a swollen lymph node under my right armpit that is a little painful to the touch. I've had it for a few months and finally decided to get a mammogram to get it checked out. My mammogram came back normal, but they told me I'd have to see my family doctor to get the lump checked out. My family doctor definitely felt the lump and said it was an enlarged lymph node and started me on antibiotics and anti-inflammatory medicine in case of an infection. They ran bloodwork to check for an infection, but I just found out that it came back normal, so no infection. They are sending me to a well-known breast surgeon in the area who they also said treats lymph nodes. I guess I would like to know what this means. I was hopeful I just had an infection. Since the infection came back negative, could this mean a type of lymph cancer? (Lymphoma, Hodgkins, etc.?) I am very scared and can't see this other doctor until 4/23, AFTER our family vacation. I am having a hard time relaxing... Thanks, Kelly
Did you find this post useful?
|
Replies(12)
Avatar
duca42
replied on May 2nd, 2009
New User
lymph node swelling
hi i am a 44 year old woman that has a swollen node under my arm. Have had a mammogram and a ultrasound and came back clear. I have been checked for infection and also came back clear. I now have been refered to a surgeon tohave a needle biopsy tosee whats is going on. You have my sympathy as i know what you are going through. Please keep me posted i am going on the 11/5
Cathy
Did you find this post useful?
|
Avatar
chrispywheats
replied on May 4th, 2009
New User
Hi, Cathy!

I thought I would let you know that after seeing the specialist, she wanted me to have an ultrasound of the lymph node first. I have that this morning so crossing my fingers. Depending if they find that it looks suspicious or very large, THEN they will do the biopsy, but they want a closer look first. Best of luck to you.
-Kelly
Did you find this post useful?
|
Avatar
maddison4
replied on June 14th, 2009
New User
swollen arpit
Hi i have noticed that my arm pit is swollen on one side and very tender, the other side is abit tender as well. What do you think i should do, could it be swollen as i have my peroid?? or could it be an infection?

heidi
Did you find this post useful?
|
Avatar
klh
replied on July 19th, 2009
New User
Just wondering what came of your doctors appointments. I have had a lump under my right arm pit for a couple of days now. It was hurting and really swollen a couple of days ago but now it is mainly just sore unless I mess with it. Is this something I should go get checked out...
Did you find this post useful?
|
Avatar
trimmer007
replied on September 10th, 2009
New User
I am 48 and had a needle biopsy and ultrasound for an enlarged lymph under my armpit. It came back negative for cancer. I can't feel it. Doesn't hurt. But, the Radiologist wants me to go see a surgeon anyway. She is concerned about false negative results. Does anyone have any info on false negatives with needle biopsy?
Did you find this post useful?
|
Avatar
Sereena
replied on September 10th, 2009
Experienced User
Hopefully everything is okay, but too much of certain nutrients in the diet can cause swollen/sore lymph nodes. My fiance's armpits were sore and swollen for over 3 weeks because he drank energy drinks all the time. It stopped when he stopped drinking them. Diet can also cause inflammation. Although, a few months is a long time.

Sometimes viruses can cause this problem and they might not show up on infection tests.

I also just remembered that my cousin had to get cysts under her arms removed a couple of years ago. She had similar symptoms and her tests would have come back negative. She had to be put on BC pills because she started getting painful cysts on her ovaries as well. All benign.

Any of these could be explanations. I hope it's not serious for anyone who posted above.
Did you find this post useful?
|
Avatar
kennysangel
replied on September 17th, 2009
New User
Need help
Hello I just came across this during a google search.. I am in the same situation as alot of you ladies. I am 32 had a lump appear in my left breast had ultrasound and mammo .. mammo was clear u/s showed what they thought was a mass in my breast.. they repeated u/s today because the mammo was clear and wanted to mark where the mass was in breast.. and they are now saying its more in my armpit area and its a swollen lympnode.. i am so confused they just dismissed it like it was nothing. it was the size of a golf ball or bigger and iam so sore and not sick at all so i dont know what kind of infection it could be. They totally dismissed the lump in my breast since it didnt appear on the mammo, but i have read about microcalsifications that are missed in mammo and u/s. i have a strong family history of breast cancer and my concern is how do they no its not a mass in my lyph node or cancer without a biopsy? please iam really worried.
Did you find this post useful?
|
Avatar
Sereena
replied on September 17th, 2009
Experienced User
kennysangel- Did they schedule you for another appointment or plan to call you soon? From what I understand (from my cousin's situation) is that they asked her to come back in a couple of months to see if her lumps got bigger, and they did, which is when they did the biopsy and removed them.

I think the reason they're not sweating it is because something like 80% of microcalcifications are benign, so if it doesn't show up on a mammo or it's under a certain size, it's not an emergency.

If it bothers you, you can call to ask them more about it or get a copy of your records to get a second opinion. It never hurts for someone with a family history to be vigilant. Just be open to other possibilities.
Did you find this post useful?
|
Avatar
blue14
replied on October 28th, 2009
New User
Hi - I too have a swollen lymph node under my right armpit - had it checked by my surgeon (he removed benign breast cysts on right and left breasts) - he said he did not feel any lumps to be concerned of - am having a mammo in January; I'm not sure what I should do but I think because it has become a little bigger that I will call my primary to discuss strategy; fortunately, I trust my surgeon so I'm not too worried although I don't like that it has become more enlarged (or engorged) - I am in menopause so hormones that are still floating around could be playing a part, but ... a virus - perhaps I have been feeling tired but then again who knows there to what could be causing this - experiencing many stressors that the majority of our society is likely experiencing with the economy, working, etc - any opinions I'd be curious - thanks and good luck to all
Did you find this post useful?
|
Avatar
donjoe
replied on October 28th, 2009
New User
Hi-I also had a lump or enlarged lymph node under my right armpit. My lump appeared after gall bladder surgery. I developed fibromyalgia 6 months after my surgery. I told the doctor that the fibromyalgia flares during my cycle. I believe the lump and the fibromyalgia is hormone driven. I recommend anyone who discovers a lump like this to have saliva testing done on your hormones. The hormones they test for are: DHEA, testosterone, estrogen, progesterone and cortisol. My hormones were not balanced and they were low. I am 43 and this happens to women in premenopause. You can replace your hormones to balance them through supplementation or creams. What helped get my lump pain under control was a diet with no sugar(except for honey) low to no fat (except omega 3fat and extra virgin olive oil)no white flour, and no caffeine. I eat protein with almost every meal to help with energy, complex carbs, lots of raw veggies, fruit and water. I also take a multivitamin, extra vitamin c, extra vitamin e, 2000 units vitamin D, calcium 600 and magnesium 300mg two times daily, last but not least digestive enzymes with my meals. You diet, srtess and age will cause your hormones to become out of balance. As of now my painful lymph node has gone away.
It is hard at first to follow this diet but once you get past a few weeks it gets easier.
Good Luck everyone.
Did you find this post useful?
|
Avatar
reanjaco
replied on November 18th, 2009
New User
Over sized lymph node back after removal
Hello i'm 22 and had an oversized lymph node removed from under my left armpit at the tail end of my breat tissue 8 months ago. On the mammogram it appeared to be the size of a pea, but when they removed it it was 1.5cm across by 3cm deep. The biopsy came back clear, but it seems to have occured again in roughly the same region. My surgeon didn't really tell me very much along the process and i'm unsure where i stand.
Did you find this post useful?
|
Avatar
donjoe
replied on November 19th, 2009
New User
My lump came back after I missed my period. It has been there for 3 weeks now. My breasts are also very sore. My doctor put me on progesterone cream because it was very low.
Low progesterone could explain my gall bladder dying, thyroid symptoms, digestion issues, swollen lymph nodes and my missed period.
Did you find this post useful?
|
Quick Reply
Search