Suggest treatment for a painful lump on the armpit
Patient: I have a lump under my armpit that has been there for years. As of recently it started hurting when I touch it. The lumps have been there for years but are getting bigger within the past couple of days and started hurting a couple days ago. I am about to be on my period if that means anything. I have also felt these same bumps before under my other armpit, on the crest of my arms, and on my Bikini line that are al noticeably there. I know that is where a lot of lynphnodes are but for some reason these ones under my armpit are irritated all of a sudden. What could it be? I m about to schedule an appointment with my doctor. Doctor: Hi,Dear,Thanks for your query to HCM virtual Clinic.I studied your query in all the details put forth by you.I understood your health concerns.But the query needs to be updated with more details,like-What is size/ hard or soft feel of the lumps under the armpit??is it your first period when lumps have got sore?Any associated lump in the breast?What about the lumps along the bikini line in  the groin (in the lympnode area)Did you had any recent viral infection?(Infectious mono viral )As the information about these lumps is not sufficient and as I don't have any first hand information of these lumps as told above,I would advise you to consult ER Primary care doctor(PCP) or a Surgeon, who would check it up and would rule out many other causes responsible for such lumps, and would treat accordingly.Cause pf these lumps on the armpit-Still from the data given from you,following causes need to be ruled out-- Infectious mononucleosis viral infection or any viral fever / or Acne with boils  may cause such lumps . -IF your period is to be related to these underarm  lumps,then whether similar sore lumps are there in the breast(like Fibroadenosis with axillary tail of the breast being affected with such a lump-a benign tumour of breast).Moslty your lumps are of infective nature and need to be confirmed by second opinion from your doctors.To confirm other causes I would hence suggest you to consult ER Surgeon or PCP doctor.Treatment-This  would depend on the cause of these lumps,which would be decided by your treating doctor.If medicinal treatment is not useful from PCP, then ER Surgeon would do FNAC biopsy with HPR,/X-ray Chest/CT scan study  and would fix the reasons  and treat it according to its benign or malignant nature.So till the time you consult ER PCP and or ER Surgeon and get his definitive opinion ,DON'T WORRY AT ALL about it being tumor,but you need to be worried as it would complicate into other problem associated with it.And act fast on the above suggestions,which helps you to plan treatment with your ER Surgeon. Hope this would resolve your query with full satisfaction.Welcome for any further query in this regard to ME by direct question at HCM.Write excellent review and hit thanks, to narrate your experience ,which would improve my rating for many other visitor's to HCM.Wishing you fast recovery.Have a good day.Dr.Savaskar M.N.Senior Surgical Consultant.M.S.Genl-CVTS