Seeking Advice on Armpit Lymph Node Concern
Hello everyone! I'll make this brief. I'm a 29-year-old male, weighing 160 pounds and standing at 5’8”. During the summer of last year, I discovered a lump in my right armpit. It’s hard, doesn’t cause me any pain, and feels somewhat fixed in place—at least, I believe that's the case. It almost seems integrated with my muscle or tendon structure. This lump becomes slightly more apparent when I raise my arm. Interestingly, I can somewhat sense it during certain exercises and movements. Apart from this, I’m not experiencing any other issues like weight fluctuations or night sweats. Generally, I maintain a healthy lifestyle, working out regularly and eating well. In December 2024, I underwent my routine lab tests and blood work, all of which returned normal results. Additionally, I had an ultrasound performed on the lymph node, revealing: “In the axilla, there are architecturally normal lymph nodes, the largest measuring 18mm. This node displays a cortical thickness of 3.4mm, with the next largest being 1.4 cm.” My primary care physician reassured me that there’s no immediate cause for concern, suggesting that the lump could simply be a cyst or a variation in lymph node size. He advised me to monitor it for any changes and indicated that I could opt for another imaging test this year if I wanted to check for any developments, such as new symptoms or increased size. Given this, do you think I should request a biopsy to completely rule out any serious issues? Or might it be best to carry on with my life while keeping an eye on it? I tend to worry about small health matters and experience significant health-related anxiety. I may have had this swollen lymph node for a while, but I only became aware of it last summer. Had I not noticed it, I wouldn’t have suspected anything was amiss, as I truly feel healthy. I’d appreciate any thoughts or if anyone else has faced a similar predicament. Thanks for your help!
Answers (1)
6/26/2025, 11:30:48 PM
OpenHealth AI
It's understandable to feel concerned about a lump in your armpit, especially given your health-related anxiety. Based on your description and previous evaluations, here are the main points to consider:
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Current Assessment: Your primary care physician and the ultrasound findings indicate that the lymph nodes are normal and there’s no immediate worry, suggesting the lump might be benign, like a cyst or normal variation in lymph node size.
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Monitoring Approach: Since you have not experienced any other troubling symptoms and your imaging tests have been reassuring, the recommended approach is to continue monitoring the lump for any changes.
Explanation:
Your lymph node measurements and normal blood work suggest that there is no significant disease process occurring at this time. A firm, non-painful lymph node, particularly one that is stable and not associated with other systemic symptoms (like fever or weight loss), is often not a cause for alarm.
Next Steps:
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Self-Monitoring: Keep an eye on the lump for any changes in size, shape, or tenderness. Track any new symptoms that might arise (such as fever, night sweats, or weight loss), as these could warrant further investigation.
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Avoiding Anxiety Triggers: To help manage your worries, consider practicing relaxation techniques such as mindfulness meditation, deep breathing exercises, or engaging in activities that you enjoy and help distract you from negative thoughts.
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Plan for the Future: Schedule a follow-up appointment or ultrasound as your doctor suggested, especially if you notice any changes. If anxiety continues to affect your daily life, consider discussing this with a health professional who can provide support and coping strategies.
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Requesting Additional Testing: If you feel persistently worried, it’s reasonable to discuss with your doctor the option for a biopsy or further imaging to put your mind at ease, but consider doing this after monitoring for a while, as it may not be necessary at this point.
Staying proactive by monitoring the situation while finding ways to manage your health anxiety can help you feel more in control. Remember, taking these steps is about addressing your concerns without overlooking the overall positive assessment from your healthcare provider.
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# 7-Month-Old Child with Abernethy Malformation - Exploring Treatment Options ## [7-Month-Old] Identified with Abernethy Malformation (Congenital Portosystemic Shunt) - Treatment Methods? **Age:** 7 months **Gender:** Female **Height:** Age-appropriate **Weight:** Currently 9 kg, was 2.8 kg at birth **Ethnicity:** Asian **Duration of Symptoms:** Present since birth **Location:** Uzbekistan **Pre-existing Health Issues:** Abernethy malformation (congenital portosystemic shunt), liver hemangiomas, chronic jaundice, anemia **Current Treatments:** Supportive management --- ## INITIAL PRESENTATION (June 2025 - July 2025) Our daughter arrived on **June 27, 2025**, presenting with: - Birth weight: **2.8 kg** - Marked jaundice (yellowing of skin and sclera) - Pale or clay-colored stools - **Bilirubin level: 245 μmol/L** (typically <20) An immediate ultrasound indicated multiple liver anomalies, initially thought to be hemangiomas. --- ## FIRST COMPREHENSIVE ASSESSMENT (August 1, 2025 - 1 Month Old) ### Multislice Computed Tomography (MSCT) with 3-Phase Contrast (August 1, 2025): **RESULTS:** - 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Cons: Surgical scar, longer recovery time (7-14 days in hospital) - Duration: 2-4 hours ### Option 3: **Liver Transplantation** - We have been advised this is not necessary as the portal vein is functional and liver health is improving. --- ## SPECIFIC QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER: 1. **With a functional portal vein (6.1 mm) and improving liver function (ALT normalized), is it advisable to pursue endovascular closure as the preferred treatment?** 2. **Despite ALT levels improving, the bilirubin remains consistently high (242). Should this be a cause for concern? Is there a prospect for it to normalize post shunt closure?** 3. **Are the hemangiomas/nodules (11.6×20.7 mm) linked to the shunt? Will they likely resolve following shunt repair?** 4. **How urgent is the proposed intervention? Is immediate action required, or is there flexibility to wait a few months?** 5. **What complications should we be vigilant for during the waiting period?** 6. **Regarding endovascular closure - what is the average success rate for infants aged 7 months? 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We are located in Uzbekistan but are prepared to travel (to Turkey, Russia, South Korea, etc.)** --- ## ADDITIONAL INFORMATION - No family history of hepatic diseases - Pregnancy and delivery were normal - No additional congenital defects identified - Immunizations up to date - No history of bleeding disorders - No signs indicative of encephalopathy - Child is alert and engaged --- **I can supply actual MSCT images and comprehensive lab reports if they would be of assistance.** We sincerely appreciate any insights you can provide. We are striving to make the most informed decision regarding our daughter’s care and highly value expert medical opinions. **TL;DR:** 7-month-old diagnosed with Abernethy Type 2 malformation (9.9 mm portocaval shunt, patent portal vein). Liver functionality is improving (normalized ALT) while bilirubin remains elevated (242). Evaluating options between endovascular coil embolization and open surgery. Seeking expert advice on optimal treatment strategy and timing.