Scan - lump under baby's arm?

[Rachey1969]

My friend who is also 16 weeks pregnant and has had an awful time so far and only just decided to keep baby, has had a scan which found a lump under baby's arm (mine didn't even look for more than 10 secs!). They don't know what it is and she's going for a specialist scan on Monday. They say it may be a chromosonal problem and that she should have an amnio. Obviously she is really worried - anyone any idea what it might be? Anything innocent or just plain spurious that it might be?

[AnotherHelen]

Hiya Rachey! it could be a glandular thing! i know of someone who experinced similar with her daughter, she had a couple of lumps under her arm and also one on her leg if i remember rightly, it was nothing to be concerned about and Dr's found nothing wrong with her! i seem to think that one had gone by the time she was born and the other had gone by the time she was about 3 months old! Hopefully Dr's will find all's well and its just one of those 'things'!
xxxxxxx

[Rachey1969]

Thanks AN I'd really hope to think it was something like this! Anyone else? please!

[Rachey1969]

bump

[Rachey1969]

bump again! anyone please!

[AnotherHelen]

Hey rachey i have been looking on the net for anything at all on this type of thing there isnt alot actually but i did find this:
The appearance of a new lump under the skin can be alarming. However, there are many possible causes for this and they are almost never related to cancer or tumors:

Common causes of lumps include:

Lymph node,
This is one of the most common causes of lumps in children/babies. It is a collection of cells that are part of the lymphatic system in our body . They are found throughout the body and get larger in size in response to an infection in that part of the body. For example, if you have an ear or throat infection, the infected tissue fluid may filter through a lymph node, which will stop it from spreading. The lymph node will grow bigger as a result, but as the infection gets better it will get smaller again. Most swellings will go down over time, although they won?t necessarily disappear and they do not need to be removed unless they become infected. Viral infections, such as German measles, may cause swollen lymph glands. Sometimes the glands under the arms or in the groin may also be enlarged.

AbscessNeck abscesses are lumps caused by a collection of pus. They usually start as bacterial infections of the lymph nodes. The skin around the area will become red and warm and you may have a high temperature and feel unwell. The swelling should be looked at by your local doctor who may prescribe oral antibiotic therapy or decide whether the abscess will need to have the fluid removed.

Cyst A cyst is a lump that is filled with jelly-like material and there are several different types. The Dermoid cyst is a very common type of skin cyst.

This is a lump made up of skin cells that fail to grow properly and form a sac that may contain hair, sweat or skin particles. These lumps are often found on the arm, on the neck and head areas and can get bigger over time. The lump can sometimes become red and painful. It may need a small operation to remove it.

I hope this helps a little rachey, i wish i could help a litle more, if i do come accross any more info i will send it on!
Helen xxx

[Rachey1969]

Thanks very much for all your research Helen, you're a star!

Unfortunately it looks like bad news - she was scanned again today and they think it's a cystic hygroma. Many nasty enlarged lymph nodes on neck/face/chest. Has a 50% chance of being associated with a chromosonal disorder so she had an amnio today as well. The really bad news is it looks like there is fluid on the baby's lung because the heart is working too hard

Will keep you informed.

[AnotherHelen]

Oh rachey!!! im so so sorry!! i will keep my fingers crossed REALLY REALLY tightly! I have witnessed myself a baby come through ALOT even before its born with my aunty! even when the Dr's gave her about a 5% chance of surviving and she just battled and battled! she is now 16 and she is fine! babies can be pretty tough when they want to be! I too should not be here! my mums Dr's told her when she was 7 months pregnant with me that her placenta had almost completely come away from her uterus and that all tests showed i was brain damaged, still alive - barely, but if they had to deliver me right then (around 8 weeks early i think) and if i survived i would be a vegetable and may not live long! well im 26 and very very normal (dp may disagree i have never had any problems and to be honest ive barley ever suffered a cold! My point is that it doesnt always turn bad even when it looks like it can ONLY go that way babies still manage to fight back! I really hope this goes for your friends baby! I wish her the best of luck with the amnio, and im thinking of you all!
Helen xxxx

[Rachey1969]

Thanks Helen!