title: Axillary pain as a heralding sign of neoplasm involving the upper thoracic root.
abstract: The authors report four patients with upper thoracic radiculopathies presenting with axilla pain. All patients had a malignancy affecting the upper thoracic nerve roots. Electrodiagnostic testing demonstrated abnormalities in the upper thoracic nerve root distribution; imaging demonstrated neoplasms. Pain in the armpit that is severe or progressive may be indicative of a malignant pathology, and evaluation should target the upper thoracic roots.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL 32224, USA. rubin.devon@mayo.edu
authors.forename: Devon I
authors.initials: DI
authors.lastname: Rubin
authors.forename: Elizabeth A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Shuster
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001365:Axilla; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010524:Peripheral Nervous System Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis*; D020069:Shoulder Pain / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D013126:Spinal Nerve Roots / Q000473:pathology*; D013904:Thoracic Vertebrae