Armpit lymph nodes

For the past two-ish years I have had an issue with enlarged armpit lymph nodes. One or two of them in the left armpit, always there, always that side, never anywhere else. They have flared up again recently.

They come up suddenly, persist for a little while and then go away, but then they come back in a few months. They are very painful, that’s how I know they are there. I don’t think I would ever notice the lumps If it wasn’t for the pain as they aren’t huge, you have to press a bit to find them. They are definitely there though, and doctors have confirmed that. There is never any sign of illness when they crop up either, I know that is a warning sign, as lymph nodes are supposed to fight infection, but I don’t have any signs of anything they could possibly be fighting. I haven’t had a vaccine in a long time and I haven’t changed deodorant.

I have trawled the internet trying to find someone who has experienced this, but nothing I have found quite matches to my experience. I have of course found a lot of stuff about lymphoma and breast cancer and such things that I am worried about.

I have been to the doctors about them a lot, they have never been concerned due to the fact that the swelling has always gone away. However, the doctor I saw recently did refer me to get them scanned, so I am now waiting on that appointment, and in the meantime I am trying to prepare myself for what they could end up telling me

  • Hi Romyperry,

    A very warm welcome to our forum.

    I am sorry to hear about your concerns. You have done the right thing by getting these swellings investigated. Lymph nodes can swell for a number of different reasons, including mild infections and hormonal changes. I hope that your appointment comes through soon and that there is a simple explanation for this.

    I hope that your appointment comes through soon and that nothing untoward is found.

    Please keep in touch and let us know how you get on. We are always here for you.

    Kind regards,

    Jolamine xx

  • Hi, 

    I have a very similar situation! My lymph nodes are very painful and in my exam the doctor said I have nordular tissue in my breasts… I’m very stressed about it and my exam is in a week. When I read the stuff online it always seems to be down to cancer but my doctor didn’t seem worried at all. I’ve had this pain for years and never really thought much of it until I read online it could be a symptom. I also got fast tracked to get scanned which makes me more worried! Especially as it’s both breasts and armpits. 

  • Hi Emilyroseted,

    A very warm welcome to our forum.

    I am sorry to hear that you are in a similar situation. Many women have naturally lumpy breasts, without having cancer. We always advise people not to look up symptoms online at this stage, because everything points to cancer, even though it seldom turns out to be the case. I am not a doctor, but from reading posts here for the past 14 years, I have discovered that breast pain doesn't usually accompany a breast cancer diagnosis. 

    Please don't worry about being fast tracked. It is normal for us to be referred under the urgent 2 week pathway. It is a fact that only 20% of those referred to the breast clinic, will get a cancer diagnosis, so here's hoping that your GP is right about the nodular tissue.

    Please keep in touch and let us know how you get on. We are always here for you.

    Kind regards,

    Jolamine xx

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