Large cyst under the armpit Cysts in the armpit area are a problem that affects both men and women. They are often painless, but can also hurt if infected.
A cyst is a non-cancerous “closed pocket of tissue that may be filled with fluid, pus, or other contents” [webmd.com] with an outer wall known as a capsule. They feel like peas (or pimples) under the surface of the skin (and on internal organs such as the kidney, liver, etc.) and can appear anywhere. Can occur in men and women of all ages.
The most common cysts in the armpit are acne, sebaceous cysts, and epidermal inclusion cysts (EIC). Pilonidal cysts can also sometimes appear, although they are usually "found on the skin near the buttocks."
Symptoms
Cysts in the armpits can be small (microscopic) or large and noticeable. These cysts can be found around or near the armpits and can be caused by a number of reasons.
Associated symptoms are related to the cause of the problem. The most obvious one is abnormal skin texture in the form of bumps. Most cysts are painless (unless infected or inflamed), grow slowly, and are "smooth to the touch, rolling under the skin" [webmd.com].
Forecast and preventive measures
The use of drug therapy allows doctors to formulate a moderately optimistic prognosis - after the patient’s condition normalizes, there remains a high probability of developing a relapse. Sclerotherapy allows women to achieve complete recovery in 55–65% of cases. Reappearance of the cyst after sectoral resection is possible if the patient violates the pathogenetic treatment protocol aimed at eliminating the causes of mastopathy.
Primary prevention of cystic formations in the mammary gland is based on timely treatment of pathologies of the reproductive, nervous and digestive systems. Patients with endocrine disorders should undergo regular clinical examinations. Secondary preventive measures include visiting a gynecological oncologist for women at least twice a year.
Causes
Shaving and using deodorants
A cyst in the armpit can be caused by shaving. They often occur in teenagers who have just started removing armpit hair. Additionally, using antiperspirant or deodorant can also trigger the formation of a bump. It is recommended to use the razor correctly and carefully.
Bacterial infection
Humidity can stimulate the growth of bacteria that cause cysts, especially streptococcal and staphylococcal bacteria. In this case, there may be enlargement of the lymph nodes, which usually resemble balls or bumps under the armpit. Antibiotics and other antibacterial treatment options are recommended.
Viral and fungal infection
Some fungal and viral infections can cause cysts to form in and around the armpits. For example, sporotrichosis, shingles, chicken pox and some problems that can arise as a result of HIV infection due to weakened immunity.
Cancer
Lumps in the armpit area may be a sign of lymphoma, which occurs as a result of a buildup of damaged lymphocytes in a lymph node. The tumor may be painful and as the disease progresses, symptoms such as fatigue, fever, night sweats, sudden weight loss, itching, loss of appetite, etc. may also be affected. The lymph nodes of the neck and groin may also be affected. It is known that Hodgkin's lymphoma and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma can cause this problem.
Fibrocystic changes in the breast
Women who suffer from breast tenderness and lumps just before their menstrual cycle may end up experiencing a lump. This occurs when some breast tissue spreads into the armpit area.
Vaccinations
Allergic reactions to vaccines for diseases such as mumps, smallpox, typhoid, rubella, measles, etc. can cause cysts and inflammation of the lymph nodes in the armpits. This is a temporary phenomenon that goes away on its own.
Suppurative (suppurative) hidradenitis
Hidradenitis suppurativa
Sometimes a small cyst may appear on the arm, armpit or groin due to the large number of sebaceous and sweat glands. It is associated with hidradenitis suppurativa, where “clusters of abscesses or subcutaneous boils affect areas that contain apocrine and sebaceous glands, such as the armpits, under the breasts, on the inner thigh, in the groin and near the buttocks” [en.wikipedia.org].
Lipoma
Lipoma (non-cancerous fatty tissue)
Another possible cause, especially for small bumps, is a lipoma. “A lipoma is a slow-growing lump that is most often found between the skin and the muscle layer” [mayoclinic.org]. This is a soft to the touch, mobile, non-cancerous growth that can grow and be painful from time to time. Sometimes removal may be necessary.
Keratin accumulation
When keratin accumulates, epidermoid cysts can form. Epidermoid cysts are “non-cancerous small lumps under the skin. They can appear anywhere on the skin, but are most common on the face, neck and torso" [mayoclinic.org]. These cysts grow slowly, do not require treatment and are painless. You should consult a doctor if pain or inflammation is present.
Epidermoid cysts are more common in men and range in size from a few millimeters to about 5 centimeters.
Other reasons
Other possible causes include cat scratch fever, mononucleosis, breast tissue infection, breast cancer, certain medications, autoimmune disorders such as systemic lupus erythematosus, juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, excessive sweating, etc.
Diagnostic measures
Diagnosing a breast cyst causes certain difficulties for doctors due to the similarity of the clinical picture of the pathology with other diseases. Gynecologists and oncologists need to make sure that the patient does not suffer from inflammatory processes, benign or malignant tumors of glandular tissue.
The most common diagnostic procedures to detect breast cysts include:
- breast ultrasound examinations;
- pneumocystography of the mastopathy focus;
- laboratory examination of biomaterial obtained during puncture of a cystic formation.
Differential diagnosis may require mammography, computed tomography of glandular tissue, biopsy followed by histological analysis of the biopsy.
Pilonidal cyst
It is “a cyst or abscess in or near the crease of the buttocks, which often contains hair and dead skin particles” [en.wikipedia.org]. In rare cases, it can also occur on the genitals, armpits and navel. Accompanied by the following symptoms: discomfort or swelling in the armpit, bloody or opaque yellow discharge and sudden release of fluid.
Treatments include hot compresses, antibiotic therapy, and depilatory creams. In some cases, surgical removal may be prescribed.
Atheroma
Atheroma – sebaceous gland cyst
Atheroma is “a cyst that arises from the sebaceous glands and contains sebum” [Wikipedia.org]. They are less common compared to epidermoid cysts.
Sebaceous cysts in the armpit often appear when these glands are blocked, high testosterone levels are present, androgenic anabolic steroid use, hereditary factors, or inflamed hair follicles. This problem affects people of any gender and age.
Symptoms
Some common symptoms include skin soreness and tenderness, redness, a “grayish-white, foul-smelling, curd-like content that is released” [nlm.nih.gov] and fever in the affected area.
Treatment
As a rule, it does not require medical treatment, especially if it is small in size. For relief, you can use a damp, warm compress. However, if the atheroma causes discomfort or is large in size, you can resort to surgical removal. This is a simple process that removes the bag and all its contents. Antibiotics may be recommended if the cyst is infected with bacteria.
Therapeutic course
If there is a low probability of malignancy of a breast cyst, doctors choose a conservative treatment strategy for patients. Surgical intervention is performed when the effectiveness of drug therapy is low or cells with atypical morphology are detected in the biopsy specimen.
The basis of conservative treatment is dopamine agonists, gestagens and iodine preparations. For severe pain and severe swelling of the mammary gland, the patient is prescribed anti-inflammatory and sedatives, supplemented with diuretics. An important role in the recovery process of women is given to laser and magnetic therapy and electrophoresis of anesthetic drugs.
Lack of progress during treatment becomes an indication for sclerotherapy. The surgeon removes fluid from the cystic cavity and fills the empty space with ethanol or a mixture of ozone and oxygen. These compounds help normalize the condition of the glandular tissues of the breast.
Radical treatment methods are used when there is a high risk of malignant degeneration of cysts. Doctors perform sectoral resection (removal of the affected part of the gland) or mastectomy (complete excision of the gland, adjacent tissues and regional lymph nodes).
Treatment methods
In most cases, armpit cysts disappear on their own. However, some may require treatment, which depends on the cause of the problem. To understand that it is a cyst, “you need to try to move it back and forth with your thumb and forefinger. If the lump is mobile, it is probably a cyst" [Health.howstuffworks.com]. A biopsy may be needed if it is suspected of being cancerous. However, axillary cysts are rarely cancerous.
Extrusion and drainage
Some may require opening and drainage for symptoms to resolve. This may require a scalpel or needle and the procedure should be carried out by a specialist. This method does not cure, but relieves symptoms, especially if purulent contents are present. And it increases the likelihood of the bumps reappearing.
Medicines and injections
Cortisone injections may be used to shrink cysts. This is a steroid injection that reduces swelling. Infections may require medications such as antibiotics or antifungals.
Surgical removal
If all of the above treatments fail to resolve the problem, surgical removal should be considered. Recommended for large sizes and severe anxiety symptoms. Laser surgery may also be used.
Home Remedies
Some of the popular home remedies that you can try include hot compresses, washing with antibacterial soap. If the cyst bursts, it is necessary to clean it and then apply an antibacterial ointment to reduce the infection.
However, you should not squeeze or open it, as this leads to scarring, infection, and may increase the chances of recurrence. However, if the bud is ripe, you can squeeze it out and clean it.
Procedure for lymph node hyperplasia
If you find that the lymph nodes have increased in size and are causing you discomfort, you should make an appointment with a mammologist. Consultation with a specialist in combination with a hardware examination will help identify the exact cause of the discomfort.
When a diagnosis of mastopathy is made and the presence of enlarged lymph nodes, the doctor will choose a treatment method depending on the type of pathology. Additional studies such as ultrasound, mammography and tests will help determine it.
If, while following the prescribed regimen, the nodule continues to hurt and remains the same size, you should undergo a re-examination, after which a specialist may prescribe a puncture or biopsy to exclude the possibility of a malignant formation. Therapy is prescribed based on test results.
In certain situations, inflammation in the lymph nodes can only be combated through surgery.
