Suggest Treatment For Swollen Lymph Node Under The Left Armpit

Posted on Mon, 14 Nov 2016

Question: I have had a swollen lymph node under my left armpit for approximately one month. It was initially painful but now isn't although you can clearly feel the connecting tube into my arm and my arm is sore in certain positions. No change after a course of antibiotics. Doctor now wants me to go for a chest X-ray and blood work and I am terrified I have lung or some other type of cancer. I am a 45 year old female who smoked until recently. I almost don't want to know.

Answered by Dr. Deepak Sundriyal (43 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Hello dear . Biopsy is the only answer.

Detailed Answer:
Hello dear. I have gone through the details.

A long standing lymph node which is big in size ( I don't know as you have not mentioned the size, but since it is palpable, so must be good in size) warrants evaluation.

However an X-ray or blood picture will not help much and I'll advise you to have it examined by an aspiration cytology or if very big then by biopsy. That will give the answer what it is exactly.

In female, it can be sometimes due to adjoining breast cancer (not to afraid you but it can). Even if it is due to any malignacy, it is treatable so no need to worry.

Feel free to ask further.

Thanks and regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee

Follow up: Dr. Deepak Sundriyal (13 minutes later)

The lymph node was initially the size of a large pea but has since decreased in size and I can barely feel it now under my skin. It is no longer sore to touch. Total duration approx one month. But you can now clearly feel the connecting drainage tube? through the skin. Breast exam normal. Mammogram from 9 months ago also normal.

Answered by Dr. Deepak Sundriyal (2 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Hello dear. Now I think you are okay

Detailed Answer:
Hello dear. Congrats.

Now you have provided further information. As the node is very small (less than a centimeter), and the mammogram was normal recently, no need to afraid. It was most likely an infective process which has subsided.

Rest assured.
Thanks and regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee

Follow up: Dr. Deepak Sundriyal (21 hours later)

Just concerning as I've had a chronic cough, although very slight, for probably six months. I have been having gastric issues ie pain in "v" area between ribs for over a year and treatment with 2 different acid reducing medications have yeilded no results. Tecta and Periet. I don't want to over react but I'm afraid to have a chest X-ray in case something serious shows up. I have no shortness of breath etc and no other symptoms except cough which I kind of attributed to my stomach problems. This gland has thrown me off and although improving, it still palpable, especially the drainage tube into my arm. I have a hard time with hospitals so need to prepare myself On what to expect. Thank you for your kindness.

Answered by Dr. Deepak Sundriyal (3 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Hello. All of your issues seems minor

Detailed Answer:
Hello dear. Please be relax. In. My opinion all of your issues seems very minor. For chronic cough , if not associated with weight loss, there is nothing to worry. A chest xray an be done. If it is normal, then a bronchoscopy or ct chest is next best investigation. For stomach related issues if not resolved with acid suppression, endoscopy is the answer. But again, the diagnosis will be a trivial one, so no need to worry.
Thanks and regards

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Nagamani Ng