Other than the worst end of the scale being lymphoma, breat cancer or
lupud, what are some other things that could case swelling of a few
underam lymph nodes.

Hello rebka,

As stated in the disclaimer at the bottom of this page, answers and
comments provided on Google Answers are general information, and are
not intended to substitute for informed professional medical advice.

The following page from a medical encyclopedia has a list of causes --
from "harmless" to more serious causes -- for armpit lumps, which it
defines as "enlargement of one or more lymph nodes in the armpit(s)."

"Armpit lump" (updated 1/16/2004, by Daniel Levy, M.D., Ph.D.)
["Definition," "Common Causes"]
MedlinePlus: Medical Encyclopedia
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003099.htm

- justaskscott


Search strategy --

Searched on Google for:

"lymph nodes"
"lymph nodes" armpit

---

Clarification of Answer by justaskscott-ga on 30 Jul 2005 18:15 PDT

I don't believe that "lump," as used on this page, means something you
can necessarily see.  Indeed, the page says that when lymph nodes
catch malignant tumor cells or infectious organisms, they "increase in
size and are easily felt."  This implies to me the enlarged nodes
might not be visible, but can be felt.

The question I asked was not about lumps it was about swelling. There
are no lumps and they are not visible to the eye unless looking thru
imaging device such as CT, Sonogram and mamogram.

I believe justaskscott gave a very good answer, given that the
colloquial understanding of the word "swollen" is a tangible and/or
visible mass, and that you made no specific mention of any sort of
radiological exam.

Assuming that your question regards something called an 'incidental
finding', you need to see the physician who ordered the original
exam--whatever the reason for that exam--and ask him or her about this
incidental finding.

An incidental finding is an abnormality or anomality noted on a
diagnostic exam ordered with the intent of examining another,
unrelated organ or with the intent of ruling out another, unrelated
specific disease in the organ in which the incidental finding occurs. 
Incidental findings are noted by the radiologist and the radiologist
may or may not recommend a specific course of follow-up for the
ordering physician.

Don't understand?  A good example is this:  I hit my head yesterday. 
I have had a headache since then.  I go to my family physician, who
decides to rule out a subdural haematoma by ordering a noncontrast CT
(CAT scan or catscan).  I have the noncontrast CT.  No subdural
haematoma is found, but the radiologist notes an area of opacification
in the frontal sinus cavity.

This finding has nothing to do with the headaches I've had since
yesterday, but it may be indicative of some other problem which my
family physician now needs to follow up on of his/her own accord and
with my assent.  In other words, you go looking for one thing, you
find some other thing.

Being a bit more specific with your question might have resulted in a
better answer, but I believe justaskscott gave the best possible
answer given the very nonspecific information you provided.