Differential Diagnosis for Growth Under the Left Underarm
- Single Most Likely Diagnosis
- Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS): This condition is characterized by painful, inflamed nodules or abscesses in the apocrine-gland-bearing areas, such as the axilla. The patient's symptoms of hard, painful, and red growths with initial yellow drainage are consistent with HS.
- Other Likely Diagnoses
- Folliculitis: An infection of the hair follicles, which can cause red, painful bumps or pus-filled pimples, similar to the patient's symptoms.
- Abscess: A localized collection of pus that can cause pain, redness, and swelling, which may be consistent with the patient's initial growth with yellow drainage.
- Cyst: A closed sac or capsule filled with fluid or semi-solid material, which can become infected and cause symptoms similar to the patient's.
- Do Not Miss Diagnoses
- Breast cancer: Although rare, breast cancer can present as a lump or growth in the axilla, and it is essential to rule out this possibility, especially if the growth is hard and painful.
- Lymphoma: A type of cancer that can cause lymph node enlargement, which may present as a growth or lump in the axilla.
- Cat-scratch disease: A bacterial infection caused by Bartonella henselae, which can cause lymphadenopathy (swollen lymph nodes) and may present as a painful growth in the axilla.
- Rare Diagnoses
- Apocrine gland carcinoma: A rare type of cancer that arises from the apocrine glands, which are found in the axilla and can cause a growth or lump.
- Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans: A rare type of skin cancer that can cause a growth or lump, often in the axilla or groin area.
- Lipoma: A rare benign tumor made up of fat tissue, which can cause a growth or lump in the axilla, although it is usually painless.