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Swollen Lymph Nodes Armpit - Causes & Treatment
Swollen lymph nodes in the armpit can indicate infections, inflammation, or in rare cases more serious conditions. Learn about causes, symptoms, and treatment options.
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Swollen lymph nodes in the armpit can indicate infections, inflammation, or in rare cases more serious conditions. Learn about causes, symptoms, and treatment options.
What are axillary lymph nodes?
The axillary lymph nodes are located in the armpit region and form an essential part of the human immune system. They act as filtering stations for lymphatic fluid draining from the arm, breast, and lateral chest wall. Under normal circumstances, these lymph nodes are barely palpable. When they swell, it is usually a sign that the immune system is actively responding to an illness or infection.
Causes
Swollen lymph nodes in the armpit can have many possible causes, ranging from benign to more serious:
Common, benign causes
- Infections: Bacterial or viral infections of the arm, hand, or breast are the most common cause. These include wound infections, abscesses, or cat scratch disease.
- Upper respiratory infections: Influenza, common colds, or other viral illnesses can temporarily cause swelling of the axillary lymph nodes.
- Skin irritation: Shaving, deodorant allergies, or ingrown hairs can trigger local inflammation and lead to lymph node swelling.
- Vaccinations: Certain vaccines (e.g., COVID-19 vaccine, flu vaccine) may cause temporary swelling of the lymph nodes on the vaccinated side.
Less common or more serious causes
- Breast cancer: Swollen axillary lymph nodes can indicate the spread of breast cancer cells and should always be evaluated by a doctor.
- Lymphoma: Conditions of the lymphatic system such as Hodgkin lymphoma or non-Hodgkin lymphoma can cause painless lymph node enlargement.
- Other cancers: Metastases from other tumors can spread to the axillary lymph nodes.
- Autoimmune diseases: Conditions such as lupus erythematosus or rheumatoid arthritis can cause generalized lymph node swelling.
- Medications: Certain drugs (e.g., phenytoin, allopurinol) can cause lymph node swelling as a side effect.
Symptoms
Swelling of the axillary lymph nodes can manifest with various symptoms, depending on the underlying cause:
- Palpable or visible swelling in the armpit
- Tenderness or pain when moving the arm
- Redness or warmth over the lymph node (in cases of infection)
- General malaise, fever, or night sweats (in systemic conditions)
- Unintentional weight loss (a possible warning sign)
- Hard, non-moveable lymph nodes (possible indication of malignancy)
Diagnosis
Several examinations are used to evaluate swollen axillary lymph nodes:
- Physical examination: A doctor palpates the lymph nodes and assesses their size, consistency, mobility, and tenderness.
- Blood tests: A complete blood count and inflammatory markers (CRP, ESR) can provide clues about infection or blood disorders.
- Ultrasound (sonography): Ultrasound allows for a more detailed assessment of the size, shape, and internal structure of the lymph nodes.
- Biopsy: If the cause is unclear or malignancy is suspected, a tissue sample may be taken for histological examination.
- Imaging: In certain cases, an MRI, CT scan, or mammogram may be additionally performed.
Treatment
Treatment depends on the underlying cause:
- Infections: Bacterial infections are treated with antibiotics. Viral infections usually resolve on their own; pain relievers such as ibuprofen or paracetamol can help alleviate symptoms.
- Skin irritation: Avoiding triggers (e.g., shaving, deodorant) and local skincare measures can help reduce swelling.
- Cancer: Depending on the diagnosis, surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, or targeted therapies may be used.
- Autoimmune diseases: Anti-inflammatory medications and immunomodulatory therapies are employed.
When to see a doctor?
Medical advice should be sought in the following situations:
- The swelling persists for more than 2–3 weeks without an identifiable cause.
- The lymph node feels hard, is not moveable, or grows rapidly.
- Accompanying symptoms such as fever, night sweats, or unintentional weight loss occur.
- There is a known history of cancer or an elevated cancer risk.
- The swelling is painful and does not improve despite treatment.
References
- World Health Organization (WHO): Breast Cancer Fact Sheet. Geneva, 2023. Available at: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/breast-cancer
- Swartz, M. H.: Textbook of Physical Diagnosis - History and Examination. 8th ed. Elsevier, Philadelphia, 2021.
- Ferrer, R.: Lymphadenopathy: Differential Diagnosis and Evaluation. American Family Physician, 58(6):1313–1320, 1998.
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