This is an automatically translated article.
Having swollen lymph nodes in the armpit, no matter how big or small, causes discomfort and anxiety for the sufferer. This could be just a common allergic reaction but could also be a warning sign of malignancy. Therefore, patients should not be subjective when palpating abnormal axillary lymph nodes.
1. What are the characteristics of lymph nodes in the armpit?
In the armpit, there is a system of lymph nodes that act as the body's immune defense system. Lymph nodes located superficially below the skin surface are palpable with a rounded or flattened appearance. But the lymph nodes located deep under the skin will be more difficult to recognize, only when the swelling is large, the patient will pay attention. Swollen and painful armpit lymph nodes are a warning sign of health and the immune system.
There are many causes of swollen lymph nodes in the armpit such as: infection, trauma to the lymph nodes and around, metastatic cancer ... If due to trauma or infection, the swelling of the lymph nodes will soon go away and does not affect human health much. However, most patients with metastatic breast cancer develop axillary lymphadenopathy. Therefore, patients should not be subjective, especially women, when axillary lymph nodes appear, they need to go to the doctor and determine the cause.
Nổi hạch ở nách đau nhức và sưng to là dấu hiệu cảnh báo về sức khỏe và hệ miễn dịch
2. Classification of causes of swollen lymph nodes in the armpit
Axillary lymph nodes are classified into 2 main types, which are malignant lymph nodes, benign lymph nodes and different treatment methods. In which, malignant lymph nodes seriously affect the patient's health. If not treated in time, it can cause many dangerous complications.
2.1. Benign causes of axillary lymphadenopathy Benign lymph nodes are lymph nodes that have the function of protecting the body from pathogens. Most of these nodes do not affect health and tend to disappear after a while.
Cases of swollen lymph nodes in the armpit due to benign causes can include:
Trauma to the chest, armpit or arm; Infection of the chest, armpit or arm; The body develops an immune response after surgery, procedures to put foreign bodies inside the body (silicone pumps, breast implants, bone implants...); The body's immune response to the attack of fungi and viruses; Immune response after vaccination; Side effects after using certain drugs; Fibroids (benign tumors formed by the growth of fibrous tissue); Lipoma (benign tumor formed by the growth of fatty tissue); Sweat gland infection. 2.2. A group of malignant causes of axillary lymph node enlargement Some cases of axillary lymph node enlargement are a sign that the body has an abnormality or a dangerous disease, for example: breast cancer, cancer of the lymphatic system Lymphoma, melanoma skin cancer, Leukemia blood cancer... These diseases are all very dangerous and need to be diagnosed and treated early to avoid dangerous complications.
Những bệnh nhân ung thư vú di căn đều bị nổi hạch ở nách
3. Characteristics of axillary lymph nodes between the sexes
3.1. Swollen axillary lymph nodes in men For men, in addition to the causes mentioned above, another common reason is muscle knots. This condition occurs when they exercise too much or too often the upper body. Axillary lymphadenopathy in this case is usually benign and resolves on its own. To quickly treat swollen lymph nodes in the armpit due to muscle knots, the patient should rest, massage and relax the muscles to make the lymph nodes disappear.
3.2. Swollen axillary lymph nodes in women When lymph nodes in the armpit, women should self-examine their breasts and detect abnormalities such as:
Abnormal breast size and shape (one side is larger than the other, one side is sagging) and unusual distortion); Feel small lumps in the breast; Swollen lymph nodes in nearby areas (eg, swollen lymph nodes in the neck...); Nipple discharge is also a sign of breast cancer but needs to be diagnosed through endoscopic examination and analysis; Changes in nipples (lower, rougher, scaly or inflamed, unusually deep indentation...). If you notice the signs of swollen lymph nodes in the armpit with the above abnormal signs, the patient should quickly go to a reputable medical facility for a definitive diagnosis and prompt treatment.
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