Lump in armpit, any ideas?

[Demented]

On Friday in the shower I noticed I had a small lump in my right armpit. It is slightly painful to the touch although not really sore. I am still b/feeding DS2 (16 months) and wondered if it could be connected? Can you have a blocked duct under your arm? I did feel a bit fluey (sp?) on Friday and fed him from the right hand side, I don't fee fluey anymore but still have the lump.

I know nobody can give me definate answers and I will phone my GP if it is still there on Monday but I just wondered if anyone else has had this, I am putting the worse case scenario to the back of my mind at the moment but do wonder if the slight pain/discomfort that goes with the lump is a good or bad sign.

Any comments welcome!

I havr had this a couple of times and been told it's just a cyst, o don't worry, but do get it checked out

Rainydays - see my post earlier on this thread. I still have a lump exactly as you describe, just under the skin in the armpit. When removing the fibroadenomas, the consultant removed this particular lump, which then promptly came back! It is apparently a small fatty lump, and they are quite common. If it feels fairly soft, and almost as though you can grab it with your fingers(but not quite) then that is probably what it is. I can see mine if I look in the mirror. Under your armpit you don't have breast tissue, so any suspicious lumps are likely to be enlarged lymph nodes, which may or may not be painful, but which are much more concerning. To be safe, your GP should refer you to a breast clinic, which will hopefully put your mind at rest!

Apologies I haven't updated you all sooner but computer acting up.

I went to my GP on Friday. She said I had done the right thing in coming back to her but in her opinion it was nothing to worry about. She thinks it's an old cyst which has never gone away. Needless to say I felt a bit silly but glad I had gone.

Thanks again for all the advise - it is really why mumsnet is so good.

Congratulations on your good news

Great news rainyday!

I've a question for Gilli - If there is no breast tissue in your armpit then why are we taught how to check there?? When I went for my first smear the Nurse showed me how to check my breasts (I don't mean she touched me). She had a model and there was definitely part of the armpit there to check too.

M2T, the side of the breast running into the armpit has to be felt - there are milk ducts and other breast tissue there - the lump I had was there. Depends how you define armpit really. Lumps in the hollow of your armpit are probably not connected with the breast tissue, which is what Gilli means, I think.

rainydays, glad you have been reassured.

Great news rainydays: janh - I couldn't have put it any better! I didn't want to say before Rainydays reported back, but sadly a teacher at my daughter's school has just discovered she has aggressive breast cancer after finding a painless lump in her armpit which turned out to be an infected lymph node. The original cancer was still too small to be detected by hand. As I said, it's important to get everything checked, for peace of mind.

I'm going to the breast specialist at the local hospital on Monday to have a lump checked out. Thought it was a blocked duct, but it's still there after 3months. Regretting that I've put it off for so long now..

Phew! Went to the hospital today and they said it was thickened breast tissue. After reading the rest of this thread, that sounds quite common. I've only just managed to read it all, I'm glad so many have also had a positive result.

Karen

Hurrah! - good news eh?

FAB .... great news for you xxx

Hi there,

I found a tiny hard lump in my armpit in the shower the other day! my immediate reaction was panic, as that is what i do best. I am 8 months pregnant and don't know if this has anythng to d with it, I can see it when I pull the skin, anyone got any advice to put my mind at rest? I had a breast examination about a month ago due to new lumps which develop with pregnancy and that was all fine, am I panicing without reason?

Marie, it could be a milk gland. Get it checked if you're worried though.

I have a lump under my arm been there 3 months finally went to my GP today -- instant referral to surgeon and mammogram (next Tues after Easter)...thought I would get a "..its all right/milk duct..." etc (am 7months pregnant with number 4)...a bit dazed and confused at the moment. It has got tender but I think because I have been poking it for a few months...anyway will have to wait until my appointment next week - to see if the surgeon thinks its fine or needs a biopsy.

Hi!, been reading your messages for info. I have had swelling under armpit for months.Had recall from breast screening 6weeks ago. (They did'nt look at armpits. I wish I'd spoken up then, but didn't.) All was clear but I was told to start examining myself regularly. 1st time was two weeks ago + I found a lump that feels quite big at edge of armpit deep towards right breast. It is getting very uncomfortable and can be tender . GP said it needs biopsy, gave me 1 weeks antibiotics. Blood test showed my body was not reacting to any infection. Antibiotics have'nt cleared either lump or swelling.I'm told it will take 9-10 weeks to see the local hospital surgeon before I can be referred for the biopsy. I am feling stressed out and don't know what to do next. My GP says it is almost sure to be nothing to be conerned about.

Hi folks again, If you have a lump that is bothering you Please get it checked. I don't want to alarm anyone..most of the time lumps aren't important, but you have to follow your feelings so please get it checked out. I'd a lump I felt was not right.. the GP referred me to see a local surgeon who wouldn't see me until the 2nd week in Dec despite my many visits back + forth to GP asking to be seen sooner. So 3 weeks ago I went 'private' + had a core biopsy. The surgeon knew immediately he saw it that the lump was a 'nasty.' The armpit lump is a secondary, the primary is in the breast beside it. I can't afford to go private with the rest, but I'll be having chemo + surgery after a core biopsy with MRI on my breast. So don't think you are anything but sensible if you want something checked out - it is your body and you have to listen to it and look after it.. doctors know a lot, but they don't have all the answers. Good Luck

Found a small swelling in my right armpit just returned from the docs who gave me a course of antibiotics.Said they thought it was a infection i have no redness but is slightly tender to touch. My gran died of bone cancer and two aunts have had breasts removed due to cancer. I am always tired and have no energy i have a nap everyday for at least 2 hrs even though ive had at least 8 hrs sleep a night. Am i being stupid thinking this isnt a infection?

Hi, I have found a lump under my armpit about the size of a small grape, im 18 and there is no history of breast cancer in my family, I want to make an appointment at the doctors and get it checked out so I can put my mind at rest but I am terrified of injections and don't know if a blood test will be required????????

I have a lump under my right armpit, as I am breastfeeding for about a week now, and I'm thinkin its a blocked duct. I saw the dr about it, and she didn't mention anything about it being a blocked duct. Dr said just keep an eye on it, and go back and see her in two weeks. The lump is just a bit bigger then a green pea. I keep thinkin it might be cancer, because my mum had breast cancer, but she has bin in the clear now. So I don't know what to think of it. Dr didn't give me any reassurance. Now I'm left to think the worst

mujz, I had a client who found something similiar when she was breastfeeding. I think its not uncommon. Go see your doctor though to put your mind at rest.