Finding a lump in your armpit can be concerning. It’s natural to feel anxious when you notice an unusual change in your body. The good news is that most armpit lumps are benign and often resolve on their own. These lumps are frequently a sign that your body is actively fighting off infection or responding to irritation. However, it’s also important to understand when an armpit lump might indicate a more serious condition and when it’s time to consult a healthcare professional.
Is an Armpit Lump Normal?
Discovering a lump in your armpit is a common experience, and in the majority of cases, it is not a cause for significant alarm. Often, the explanation is linked to a mild and harmless underlying issue. Your armpits are home to lymph nodes, which are small, bean-shaped glands that play a crucial role in your immune system. These nodes filter lymph fluid, trapping bacteria, viruses, and other foreign substances. When your body is dealing with an infection or inflammation, these lymph nodes can swell, resulting in a noticeable lump.
When Will an Armpit Lump Go Away and When Should You See a Doctor?
Many armpit lumps are indeed temporary and will disappear on their own. This is especially true when the lump is due to a swollen lymph node reacting to a minor infection, such as a cold, or skin irritation. In these instances, as your body overcomes the initial trigger, the swelling will subside, and the lump will gradually vanish.
However, it’s essential to be aware of when an armpit lump warrants medical attention. As a general guideline, if an armpit lump persists for longer than a week, it’s advisable to have it evaluated by a doctor. Prompt medical consultation is particularly important if the lump is accompanied by any of the following symptoms:
- Persistent Fever: An ongoing fever without a clear cause could indicate an infection or other underlying condition that needs to be addressed.
- Night Sweats: Unexplained, excessive sweating during the night can be a symptom of infection or, in rare cases, certain types of cancer.
- Unexplained Weight Loss: If you are losing weight without intentionally trying, it’s crucial to investigate the reason, especially when combined with other symptoms like an armpit lump.
Furthermore, there are specific characteristics of the lump itself that should prompt you to seek medical advice:
- Lump beneath the Skin: If the lump feels like it’s located deeper under the skin rather than on the surface, it’s worth getting checked.
- Increasing Size: A lump that continues to grow larger over time needs medical evaluation to determine the cause of the growth.
- Absence of Redness or Infection Signs: While redness can indicate a skin infection, a lump that is not red or showing other signs of infection but persists should still be examined.
Adrienne Waks, MD
What are the Potential Causes of an Armpit Lump?
The reasons behind an armpit lump are diverse, and as mentioned earlier, most are not serious. In many cases, the lump will resolve naturally without intervention. Let’s explore some of the common potential causes:
- Infection: This is one of the most frequent reasons for a swollen lymph node in the armpit. Lymph nodes are a key part of your immune system, and they often swell when fighting off infections from viruses, bacteria, or fungi. This swelling is a sign that your lymphatic system is functioning correctly and working to protect your body. Infections in the arm, hand, or breast area are particularly likely to cause lymph node swelling in the armpit.
- Skin Irritation: Sometimes, a lump in the armpit can be related to skin issues. This could be a skin cyst, which is a sac filled with fluid that develops under the skin. Another possibility is an inflamed hair follicle, often due to shaving or irritation from clothing or hygiene products. These skin-related lumps usually clear up on their own.
- Allergies: Allergic reactions to certain substances that come into contact with your skin in the armpit area can also lead to lumps. Common culprits include deodorants, antiperspirants, soaps, detergents, or even certain fabrics. The lump is typically a result of localized inflammation due to the allergic reaction.
- Autoimmune Disorders: Certain autoimmune disorders, such as Lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, and others, can affect the immune system and cause lymph nodes throughout the body, including those in the armpits, to swell. In these conditions, the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks its own tissues, leading to inflammation and lymph node enlargement.
- Cancer: While less common, an armpit lump can, in rare cases, be a sign of cancer. It’s important to remember that most armpit lumps are not cancerous, but it’s crucial to rule out this possibility, especially if the lump has concerning characteristics or persists. Lymphoma, a cancer of the lymphatic system, can cause swollen lymph nodes. Additionally, cancers from other parts of the body, such as breast cancer, can sometimes spread (metastasize) to the lymph nodes in the armpit, causing them to enlarge.
How to Differentiate Between a Cancerous and Non-Cancerous Armpit Lump?
It’s understandable to be concerned about whether an armpit lump could be cancerous. While only a medical professional can provide a definitive diagnosis, there are some characteristics that can help differentiate between potentially cancerous and benign lumps. It’s important to note that these are general guidelines and not a substitute for medical evaluation.
Pain can sometimes be a clue, but it’s not always definitive. A painful armpit lump is less likely to be cancerous. Pain and tenderness are more commonly associated with infection or inflammation. Cancerous lumps are often, but not always, painless. Therefore, a painless lump should not be immediately dismissed and may warrant closer attention, especially if other concerning features are present.
The texture and shape of the lump can also provide clues. A normal lymph node typically has a lima bean shape and a firm but somewhat yielding consistency. In contrast, a cancerous lymph node may often become rock-hard and change shape, becoming more rounded like a marble rather than a lima bean. However, this is not always the case. Some benign lumps can also be firm.
Therefore, if you notice an armpit lump that feels unusually firm, is not lima bean-shaped, and especially if it is painless, persists, grows larger, and is not associated with signs of infection (redness, warmth, pain), it is prudent to seek medical advice promptly.
Armpit Lumps and Vaccines
It’s worth noting that certain vaccines, including common vaccines like the flu shot and COVID-19 vaccines, can sometimes trigger the immune system and cause temporary swelling of the lymph nodes in the armpit on the same side as the arm where you received the injection. This is a normal immune response and is generally not a cause for concern. It indicates that your immune system is reacting to the vaccine as intended and building protection. However, if these vaccine-related armpit lumps persist for more than a few weeks after vaccination, it’s advisable to discuss them with your doctor to rule out any other potential issues.
What Happens if My Armpit Lump is Cancerous?
If, in rare instances, an armpit lump is diagnosed as cancerous, it’s important to know that there are numerous effective treatment options available. The specific treatment approach will depend on the type of cancer, its stage, and other individual factors. Potential treatment modalities include:
- Surgery: Surgical removal of the tumor and affected lymph nodes may be recommended.
- Radiation Therapy: High-energy radiation beams are used to target and destroy cancer cells.
- Chemotherapy: Medications are used to kill cancer cells throughout the body.
- Immunotherapy: This type of treatment helps your body’s own immune system fight cancer cells more effectively.
- Targeted Therapy: These drugs specifically target certain vulnerabilities in cancer cells, inhibiting their growth and spread.
Understanding the Function of Lymph Nodes
To better understand why armpit lumps occur, it’s helpful to know the role of lymph nodes. Lymph nodes are integral components of the lymphatic system, a network that plays a vital role in your body’s defense against infection and disease. The lymphatic system is composed of lymph nodes, lymph vessels, and lymph fluid. Lymph nodes are strategically located throughout your body, including the neck, armpits, chest, abdomen, and groin.
Their primary function is to filter lymph fluid, which circulates throughout the body, collecting waste products, bacteria, viruses, and abnormal cells, including cancer cells. As lymph fluid passes through the lymph nodes, these nodes act as filters, trapping and destroying harmful substances. When lymph nodes encounter an infection or other immune challenge, they can become enlarged and tender as they work to fight off the threat, which is often the reason behind a noticeable armpit lump.
By understanding the potential causes of armpit lumps and knowing when to seek medical attention, you can proactively manage your health and address any concerns effectively. Remember, while most armpit lumps are benign, it’s always best to err on the side of caution and consult a healthcare professional if you have any persistent or concerning symptoms.
