Underarm Swelling
Underarm Swelling – What Does It Mean?
You feel fit and healthy, but in the shower you notice an underarm swelling - it might hurt, but it might not yet. The most common cause is a swollen lymph node which is a small gland that is found all over your body. They are an assembly point for your immune system by filtering out dangerous bacteria and fighting infections. A swollen lymph node can indicate a disease that has not been discovered during your last medical exam, and while it is often a harmless infection, it can be a sign for cancer.
There are numerous lymph nodes which are distributed all over the body, but the underarm area has a particularly high number of them. Among the many possible reasons for underarm swelling, cancer is the rarest one. Tumors that develop in the lymph nodes are called lymphomas, and they can be malign or benign. If they are malignant, meaning that they form cancer cells, there is a serious chance that the malign cells spread further, attacking breast, skin and neighboring organs such as the lungs. If that is the case, patients experience swelling in all affected parts. In rare cases, underarm swelling can be an indicator for leukemia. In some cases, HIV positive patients have experienced swelling in that region as well as patients suffering from tuberculosis- again, these cases are very rare. Most of the time swellings are caused by less harmful diseases.
Very often patients experience underarm swelling as an allergic reaction to a certain type of medicine such as penicillin. If it is a harmless infection, the swelling will disappear within few days. Only if patients notice a growth or the swelling is present for more than a week, medical attention is urgently needed. Especially if you notice other symptoms such as sweat, unexplainable weight loss, fever or pain, you must immediately seek medical attention.
While you may suffer from a disease, it is rarely a life-threatening condition. Patients with underarm swelling may suffer from a cold, a bacterial infection, shingles or aphthous oral infection. Your doctor will be able to determine what it is and treat you successfully. To make a diagnosis, the following information is necessary:
- Duration of the underarm swelling: If it is an infection or a harmless condition, the swelling should go back within 7 to 10 days. If the swelling still exists over a month, the cause can be a chronic disease or cancer.
- Location: Underarm swelling is a very common symptom for many diseases which is why it is difficult to make a diagnosis right away. On the bright side: Swelling in other parts of the body (such as the shoulder) are much more likely to be dangerous than underarm swelling.
- Size: Lymph nodes that grow beyond the size of a marble and last for over 3 to 4 weeks are the ones to be worried about. That applies primarily to swellings that are growing - if the swelling is small and goes back gradually, there is often no need to worry.
- Patient's Age: The age is actually very important to make a diagnosis. Children experience swollen lymph nodes quite often, but they disappear fairly quickly. Patients over the age of 50 are at risk for cancer - consult your doctor immediately.
While a serious disease is rare, it is not impossible. When you notice a swelling, it is best to seek medical attention right away just to get sure. Remember that if cancer is detected early on, there is a great chance of successful healing.