Axillary swelling DDx

Axillary swelling – Differential Diagnosis

Common causes

• Reactive Lymph nodes
• Sebaceous cyst
• Abscess
• Lipoma
• Hidradenitis suppurativa

Must Not Miss

• Malignancy
  • Metastases
  • Breast
  • Lung cancer
  • Lymphoma
• TB Lymphadenopathy
• HIV

Easily missed

• Sarcoidosis
• Glandular fever

Red flags

• Hard fixed mass
• Breast lump
• Persistent unexplained swellings > 3 weeks
• Abnormal CXR
• Systemic symptoms
  • (fever, night sweats, malaise, weight loss)

Investigations to consider

• FBC, CRP/ ESR, Bone profile
• Glandular fever screen
• HIV screen
• Mantoux test
• CXR
• USS
• Mammogram
• FNAC/biopsy
• CT scan

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