Suggest Treatment For Lump In Armpit

Posted on Sat, 8 Nov 2014

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Sat, 8 Nov 2014 Answered on

Tue, 2 Dec 2014 Last reviewed on

Question : I found a lump in my armpit a couple of weeks ago. I don't have insurance. What can I expect to have to pay to have it looked at and diagnosed?

Answered by Dr. Grzegorz Stanko (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Detailed below.

Detailed Answer:
Hello!

Thank you for the query.

Lump in the armpit can be an enlarged lymph node. Such enlargement in some cases can be a symptom of breast lump. That is why to get it diagnosed you need armpit ultrasound and breasts ultrasound.
If the lump will be described as a lymph node, biopsy of it might be necessary.

Hope this will help. Feel free to ask further questions.
Regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Grzegorz Stanko (8 minutes later)

Thank you. I don't have any other symptoms; it doesn't hurt at all; it is small, like smaller than a pea and again, I've had it for about three weeks - or noticed it that long ago. Does that sound worrisome? Can I wait a couple of months in hopes of getting a job with health insurance? Also, if it is something bad, can insurance companies deny me if I try to get insurance after getting diagnosed? I'm trying to figure out if I just pay cash for a diagnosis now, if it is that necessary to do it now, or it I should just buy insurance now.

Answered by Dr. Grzegorz Stanko (3 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
.

Detailed Answer:
Lymph node is usually painless, rounded and can be small. It grows slowly. The point is that armpit lymph nodes are usually not palpable if not enlarged. So for your safety you should not wait with it for so long. You have to rule the breast cancer out.
Yes, insurance company can deny you if you try to get the insurance after detecting a disease.
So it is necessary to do it sooner than later.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar