Referred for lump in armpit, what happens now

[Strangestthings]

I’ve got a lump in my armpit and swelling which didn’t go down after a course of antibiotics so I’ve now been referred to the breast clinic. I know examination of the breasts is standard but will they do this if the lump is in the armpit, not the breast?

does anyone have any experience of this or can advise?

I think the mammogram will pick up anything but they'll probably do a biopsy

I had this when I was about 20, they just removed it and then checked it. It was all fine, I have a tiny scar but apart from that it’s like it never happened. I hope for the sake for you OP.

I had this 2.5 years ago. At the breast clinic I had a mammogram, breast examination and an ultrasound. I was told at the clinic that breast tissue extends up into the armpits so that’s why they look at everything.

Mine was a cyst, I had 3 courses of antibiotics over roughly 4 months, none of which made any significant difference. They don’t like to aspirate them as it can transfer the infection to other layers of skin. In the end I was discharged and told to go back to the GP if it got worse.
The lump went after about 18 months, I still have a scar on the skin where it was which is fading.

Hope that helps x

I had this too and all was fine. Sometimes, even after a course of ABs it takes a while to go but it’s good you’re getting checked out.

Thanks all. I know it seems silly but I wanted to avoid getting my boobs out! I thought because the lump is in the armpit, they might just check that area so I wouldn’t have to remove bra.

Just been to breast clinic and no way will be able to avoid getting boobs out sorry - if it helps all the staff I saw were female and off course see multiple times a day. They need to check if nothing else in actual breast too.

I got the impression they can normally tell if something is a cyst with the ultrasound which means might be able to avoid biopsy if it is

It may be a lymph node that needs to be checked out for cancer. The first examination by a doctor will be full (firm!) breast exam and into the arm pit. Then you get sent for mammogram and the ultrasound/biopsy (if necessary).

No one wants to get their breasts out if they dont have to, but these are specialists who see them in all shapes and sizes all day every day. Its nothing more than a medical entity for them and they only take as long as they need for examination before the robe is back on.

I have a recurring lump under one arm that is breast tissue growing in the wrong place. It has been checked a couple of times, once by mammogram and once by ultrasound. I didn't honestly understand the mammogram as its not where the lump is, but at least it ruled anything out. Appointments are within a few weeks as it is treated as a cancer check.

Thanks all. The doc did a thorough check and thinks it’s a cyst but has referred me for mammogram and ultrasound to be sure.