Breast pain near the armpit can be caused by a variety of conditions, some benign and others more serious. The most common causes include hormonal changes, injury or trauma, infection, and breast cancer. Determining the underlying cause usually requires an examination by a doctor along with imaging tests or a biopsy. Prompt evaluation is recommended for severe, persistent, or worsening breast pain to identify any serious conditions requiring treatment.
Quick overview
Some key points about breast pain near the armpit:
- Referred to as mastalgia, breast pain has many potential causes including hormones, injury, infection, and cancer.
- Most common in premenopausal women due to hormone fluctuations.
- Usually involves swelling, tenderness, and soreness rather than severe or sharp pain.
- Evaluation aims to rule out breast cancer which can cause armpit pain through lymph node involvement.
- Benign breast conditions like cysts, mastitis, trauma, or costochondritis often responsible.
- Imaging tests like mammogram, ultrasound, or MRI used to aid diagnosis.
- Treatment depends on underlying cause but may include OTC pain relievers, antibiotics, hormonal therapies.
- Referral to breast specialist or surgeon often needed for evaluation.
- Prompt medical attention recommended for sudden, severe, or persistent breast pain.
What are the usual symptoms of breast pain near the armpit?
Some of the most common symptoms of breast pain near or under the armpit include:
- Tenderness – Feeling very tender to the touch near the outer breast or in the armpit area. This may range from mild sensitivity to severe tenderness that prevents sleeping on the affected side.
- Swelling – Enlargement or swelling in the upper outer breast or lymph nodes in the armpit. This can cause tightness or a heavy feeling.
- Aching or soreness – Dull, aching pain or soreness that may be localized or radiate from the breast to the armpit region.
- Burning – Sensations of burning, stinging, or rawness in the breast, particularly near the armpit.
- Stabbing pain – Occasional sharp, stabbing pains that may be felt from the breast near the outer edge traveling toward the armpit.
- Skin changes – The breast skin may appear red or inflamed. Changes like thickening, dimpling, or irritation may also be present.
In some cases, there are no breast changes felt at all and pain is only noticed under the arm, likely due to enlarged lymph nodes.
What are some common causes of breast pain near the armpit?
Some of the most common potential causes for breast pain near the armpit include:
- Hormonal fluctuations – Shifts in hormone levels before menstruation, during perimenopause, or with birth control use can trigger breast pain. This is the most common cause in premenopausal women.
- Breast injury or trauma – Any impact, blow, or other trauma to the breast can cause pain and inflammation which may extend toward the armpit. Sports injuries, seat belts in accidents, or rounds of golf or tennis are common sources.
- Breast cysts – Fluid-filled sacs which can form in the breasts are a common source of lumpiness and breast pain which may radiate toward the armpit.
- Mastitis – Infection and inflammation of the breast tissue often associated with breastfeeding. Usually involves swelling, redness, and tenderness.
- Costochondritis – Inflammation where ribs meet breastbone can cause upper breast/chest wall pain extending toward armpit.
- Breast cancer – While any breast change could be cancer, pain near the armpit may signal advanced disease if cancer cells have spread to lymph nodes.
Are there any risk factors for developing breast pain near the armpit?
Some factors that may increase risk of breast pain near the armpit include:
- Age – Most common during the premenopausal years between puberty and menopause when hormone fluctuations are greatest.
- Menstrual cycle – Hormone changes during the menstrual cycle often lead to breast pain and tenderness.
- Birth control pills – The hormones in birth control pills can trigger breast pain as a side effect.
- Pregnancy – Hormone surges during pregnancy and breast changes/engorgement when breastfeeding often cause breast pain.
- Breast injury – Any prior injury or trauma to the breasts increases risk of subsequent breast/armpit pain.
- Smoking – Has been associated with increased risk of breast pain as well as breast cancer.
- Family history – Having a family history of breast cancer or fibrocystic breast changes may increase risk.
When to see a doctor
It is recommended to consult a doctor promptly if any of the following are present:
- Breast pain that does not go away after 1-2 menstrual cycles
- Severe, lingering pain that interferes with sleep or activities
- Thickening, hardening, or dimpling of the breast skin
- New lumps or masses felt in the breast or armpit
- Nipple changes like retraction, scaliness, or discharge
- Redness and warmth of the breast suggesting infection
- Unexplained weight loss and fatigue
Sudden onset of severe breast pain should be evaluated as soon as possible by a doctor. While most causes of breast pain are benign, prompt evaluation for breast cancer is important when alarming symptoms are present.
What tests may be needed to diagnose breast pain near the armpit?
Some common diagnostic tests used to evaluate breast pain near the armpit include:
- Medical history – Thorough review of symptoms, associated factors, menstrual cycle effects, family history, and any risk factors.
- Physical exam – Examination of the breasts, lymph nodes, underarm, and chest wall for signs of masses, skin changes, swelling, or injury.
- Mammogram – X-ray imaging to detect masses, cysts, calcifications or other changes in breast tissue.
- Breast ultrasound – Sound wave imaging that can identify cysts, tumors, and abnormalities not seen on mammogram.
- MRI – Detailed breast imaging using magnetic fields and radio waves. Helps assess extent of tumors or other abnormalities present.
- Biopsy – Removal of breast tissue samples for pathologic examination to rule out cancer.
- Blood tests – Counts and hormone levels may be checked for indications of infection or endocrine issues.
Based on initial exam findings, one or more of these tests may be warranted to reach a diagnosis. Age of patient along with clinical manifestations helps guide which imaging tests are preferred for accurate evaluation.
What are some benign causes of breast pain near the armpit?
Some benign breast conditions that can cause pain near the armpit include:
- Cyclic breast pain – Breast pain related to monthly hormonal fluctuations of the menstrual cycle. Most common in premenopausal women.
- Breast cysts – Fluid-filled sacs that can enlarge, rupture, or twist causing intense pain that may radiate toward the armpit.
- Fibrocystic breast changes – Noncancerous breast lumps and cysts that tend to be most painful before menstruation.
- Breast trauma -Any direct injury or blow to the breast can lead to pain, bruising and inflammation.
- Mastitis – Bacterial infection of the breast, commonly during breastfeeding. Involves swelling, tenderness, and redness.
- Fat necrosis – Painful breast lump due to damaged fatty breast tissue, often after injury or radiation.
- Costochondritis – Inflammation where ribs attach to breastbone causing upper breast/chest wall pain.
Most breast specialists consider 6 months of persistent symptoms without any suspicious findings to effectively rule out breast cancer.
What breast cancer signs should raise concern?
Any of the following breast changes accompanying armpit pain warrant prompt medical evaluation:
- Thickening or hard lump felt within the breast tissue
- Changes to breast skin texture or contours
- Nipple retraction, discharge, or sores
- Orange peel skin texture or visible swelling in breast
- Redness, scaliness, or dimpling of breast skin
- Abnormal nipple discharge
- Lymph nodes in armpit that are enlarged, hard, or fixed in place
- Unexplained weight loss
While most instances of breast pain near the armpit are not cancer, prompt evaluation for these suspicious signs can detect breast cancer at earlier more treatable stages.
What are the treatment options for breast pain near the armpit?
Treatments for breast pain near the armpit depend on the underlying cause but may include:
- Over-the-counter pain medications like acetaminophen or ibuprofen
- Prescription estrogen or progesterone to stabilize hormone fluctuations
- Antibiotics for infections like mastitis
- Warm compresses to promote drainage of breast cysts
- Avoiding caffeine, chocolate, salt which aggravate breast cysts/pain
- Wearing well-fitting, supportive bras to minimize movement
- Surgical drainage of painful breast cysts
- Breast cancer treatments like surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, or hormonal therapy if cancer present
Most women find their breast pain manageable with conservative at-home treatments and reassurance from normal imaging test results. Those with severe or persisting symptoms may benefit from prescription medications or specialty management by a breast health expert.
What are some tips for relieving breast pain at home?
Some measures that can help relieve breast pain at home include:
- Over-the-counter pain relievers like Tylenol, Motrin, or Aleve for mild pain
- Ice packs or cool compresses applied to the painful areas for up to 20 minutes a few times per day
- Wearing a well-fitted supportive bra, including while sleeping
- Avoiding unnecessary pressure or trauma to the breasts like tight bras or purses
- Limiting caffeine intake which can aggravate breast pain
- Reducing salt, chocolate, and fat which may worsen pain from breast cysts
- Applying warm compresses to promote drainage if breast cysts are present
- Performing breast self-exams to identify changes requiring medical follow-up
While pursuing self-care, any new lumps or suspicious breast changes should prompt medical evaluation to determine appropriate treatment.
When to see a breast specialist or surgeon?
Referral to a specialist like a breast health expert, breast surgeon, or oncologist is often needed in these situations:
- Breast pain unresponsive to over-the-counter pain medications
- Symptoms persisting longer than 1-2 menstrual cycles
- Presence of a breast lump, thickening, or suspicious imaging finding
- Nipple discharge, retraction, or skin changes of the breast
- Need for aspiration or drainage of a large, painful breast cyst
- Suspected infection like mastitis unresponsive to initial antibiotic treatment
- Pain not clearly cyclical that may require hormonal therapies
- To coordinate breast imaging tests and potential biopsy if needed
- Severely limiting pain interfering with sleep or activities
Specialists can provide focused evaluation and advanced treatment options beyond over-the-counter pain relief for more troublesome breast pain cases.
What is the outlook for breast pain near the armpit?
The prognosis for breast pain near the armpit is generally good with proper evaluation and treatment.
- Most cases of breast pain near the armpit are related to benign hormonal changes, injury, or infections.
- These generally respond well to conservative treatments like hot/cold compresses, OTC pain relievers, and anti-inflammatories.
- Breast cysts may recur over time but can be aspirated or treated hormonally for symptom relief.
- Mastitis typically resolves with antibiotic treatment within 1-2 weeks.
- Uncommonly, pain near armpit is cancer-related. With prompt treatment prognosis is excellent if caught early.
- Education on breast self-awareness and screening is key for identifying any concerns promptly.
- Most benign causes of breast pain near armpit resolve within 1-2 menstrual cycles.
- Seeking prompt attention for any lasting changes provides the best outcomes.
While breast pain can be frightening, the vast majority of cases near the armpit are not cancer. Staying alert to changes and discussing any ongoing symptoms with your doctor ensures optimal health.
Conclusion
In summary, breast pain near the armpit has a range of potential causes, most commonly hormonal factors, traumatic injury, infection, or benign breast changes like cysts. While alarming, breast cancer is a relatively uncommon source unless suspicious masses or skin changes coexist. Diagnostic testing like ultrasound and mammogram can identify any areas of concern. Most cases resolve with at-home measures like ice, OTC pain relievers, and supporting garments. Any severe, persistent, or worsening breast pain warrants medical evaluation to guide appropriate treatment and provide reassurance. Staying attuned to body changes while following recommended breast cancer screening guidelines is key to detecting any problems early. With proper care and follow up, outcomes for breast pain near the armpit are typically excellent.