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Axillary lymphadenopathy is the enlargement of lymph nodes in the armpit region, which can be diagnosed through physical exams or imaging studies. It can be caused by cancer, infection, or trauma, and may or may not have symptoms. Biopsy and laboratory studies are used to determine the cause. Breast cancer is a common cause, as well as infections such as HIV and EBV.
Axillary lymphadenopathy is a condition in which the lymph nodes in the armpit region, commonly known as the armpits, are enlarged. The condition can be diagnosed based on a physical exam or imaging studies. Symptoms may include pain or swelling in the armpit. The cause of lymphadenopathy can be diagnosed by laboratory studies and by biopsy of enlarged lymphatic tissue. Some common causes of the condition include cancer, infection, or trauma.
A diagnosis of axillary lymphadenopathy is typically made after the discovery of lumps or bumps in the armpit region. Sometimes patients might notice these lumps on their own. In other cases, doctors or other health care professionals might make the diagnosis based on a complete physical exam. Sometimes, enlarged lymph nodes can be identified on imaging studies such as computed tomography (CT) scans.
While some patients have symptoms associated with axillary lymphadenopathy, others have no symptoms. Patients may have tenderness or pain in the region of the enlarged lymph node. In other cases, the swelling and enlargement might be painless.
Finding axillary adenopathy in a patient is important because it serves as a clue that could point towards the diagnosis of an underlying disease. Patients who develop this condition should have routine laboratory work done to evaluate for underlying systemic diseases, as lymph nodes play a vital role in the body’s immune system. Often, patients with large lymph nodes undergo a biopsy in which a needle is used to take a sample of the lymph node. Examination of the tissue under a microscope can provide critical clues as to why lymph node enlargement has occurred.
Various types of cancer can cause axillary lymphadenopathy. Breast cancer is one of the most common causes of this physical exam finding. This occurs because the lymphatic system of the breast drains into the armpit region and the cancer tends to spread along this route. Cancers of the immune system, including lymphoma and leukemia, can also cause swollen lymph nodes in this region of the body. Melanoma, a type of skin cancer, is another cause of this symptom.
Another group of disorders that can cause axillary lymphadenopathy are infections. Systemic diseases, such as infection with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) or Epstein Barr virus (EBV) can cause generalized lymphadenopathy that includes the axillary region. More localized infections can also cause this symptom. These can include cat scratch disease, sporotrichosis, and bacterial infections.
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