Differential Diagnosis for a Lump in the Axilla
Single Most Likely Diagnosis
- Lipoma: A benign tumor composed of fat tissue, which is the most common cause of a lump in the axilla. It is usually soft, mobile, and painless.
Other Likely Diagnoses
- Cyst: Such as a sebaceous cyst or an epidermoid cyst, which can occur in the axilla and present as a lump.
- Infected lymph node: Can occur due to bacterial or fungal infections, and may present as a painful lump in the axilla.
- Cat scratch disease: Caused by Bartonella henselae, typically presents with a painful lymph node in the axilla after a cat scratch or bite.
- Breast cancer metastasis: Although less common, breast cancer can metastasize to the axillary lymph nodes, presenting as a lump.
Do Not Miss Diagnoses
- Breast cancer: A lump in the axilla could be a sign of breast cancer, especially if it is hard, fixed, and accompanied by other symptoms like nipple discharge or a breast lump.
- Lymphoma: Both Hodgkin's and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma can present with lymphadenopathy in the axilla, which may be a sign of a more serious underlying condition.
- Tuberculosis: Can cause lymphadenitis, presenting as a lump in the axilla, and is important to diagnose due to its infectious nature and need for specific treatment.
Rare Diagnoses
- Sarcoma: A rare type of cancer that can occur in the soft tissues of the axilla, presenting as a lump.
- Hygroma: A rare, benign tumor that can occur in the axilla, typically presenting as a soft, translucent lump.
- Neurofibroma: A rare, benign tumor of the nerve tissue that can occur in the axilla, presenting as a lump.