Aa
Breast Lumps
To summarize a very long year....I had a rotator cuff tear found on a mri along with some strange bone marrow readings and was sent for blood work which found high white blood counts. After several blood tests I was sent to an oncologist who has been monitoring me for the past year. At the beginning of November I found a lump in my left breast and saw my ob/gyn who found numerous lumps. I had a mammogram and an ultrasound which found benign appearing masses with a swollen 1.6 cm axillary lymph node. I saw a breast surgeon who was fairly unimpressed and told me to schedule a follow up visit if the lymph node did not decrease. Between that time I saw my oncologist who recommended a breast mri to get to the bottom of the swollen lymph nodes. I am still waiting to to have my mri which should be within the next two weeks.
Okay, that being said, these lymph nodes that are swollen, the one in my armpit seems large and attached by a rope to smaller pea sized lumps. As time passes, I am getting more and more anxious that I may have breast cancer. I have just learned that my grandmother's sister had breast cancer. Why would my lymph nodes be swollen if my breast lumps are benign cysts? The skin on my left breast looks dimply when I raise my arm and there is redness (very slight) in the area of the lumps. Any advise while I play the waiting game would be helpful....Thanks so much!
Okay, that being said, these lymph nodes that are swollen, the one in my armpit seems large and attached by a rope to smaller pea sized lumps. As time passes, I am getting more and more anxious that I may have breast cancer. I have just learned that my grandmother's sister had breast cancer. Why would my lymph nodes be swollen if my breast lumps are benign cysts? The skin on my left breast looks dimply when I raise my arm and there is redness (very slight) in the area of the lumps. Any advise while I play the waiting game would be helpful....Thanks so much!
Hi,
I dont think you need the surgery. Talk to your breast specialist in detail about it and then decide.
It would be best to take a second opinion if you are not convinced.
Background parenchymal would mean the lung behind the breast region has some lesion - get a chest xray and see if anything is there on it. this is not significant otherwise.
Do let us know how you are doing and what your breast specialist advises.
Regards.
I dont think you need the surgery. Talk to your breast specialist in detail about it and then decide.
It would be best to take a second opinion if you are not convinced.
Background parenchymal would mean the lung behind the breast region has some lesion - get a chest xray and see if anything is there on it. this is not significant otherwise.
Do let us know how you are doing and what your breast specialist advises.
Regards.
Okay, I have the mri report which reads pretty normally. there are multiple nonenhancing cysts bilaterally. there is mild background parenchymal enhancement. there are no focal enhancing masses. Specifically no abnormal enhancement is seen in the left axillary region to correspond to the clinically described mass. Any palpable masses in this area should be managed on a clinical basis.
So, do you have any idea why my hemo/oncology doc thought it would be a prudent idea to remove my lymph nodes surgically for inspection? And what the heck does mild background parenchymal enhancement mean? Please respond as I am waiting to book my surgery which was approved last friday.....
Thank you!
So, do you have any idea why my hemo/oncology doc thought it would be a prudent idea to remove my lymph nodes surgically for inspection? And what the heck does mild background parenchymal enhancement mean? Please respond as I am waiting to book my surgery which was approved last friday.....
Thank you!
Hi,
Do you have a copy of the MRI report? What does it say exactly?
If you do not have a copy as yet, it would be best to get one. Also, talk to your radiologist and doctor if possible.
Axillary lymph node removal has been advised or a needle aspiration is being done to sent cells from the lymph node for examination?
These questions are important, and see if you could tell us the answers. This would help to answer your doubts and queries.
Do keep us posted and let us know what is going on.
Hope this helps.
Good luck.
Do you have a copy of the MRI report? What does it say exactly?
If you do not have a copy as yet, it would be best to get one. Also, talk to your radiologist and doctor if possible.
Axillary lymph node removal has been advised or a needle aspiration is being done to sent cells from the lymph node for examination?
These questions are important, and see if you could tell us the answers. This would help to answer your doubts and queries.
Do keep us posted and let us know what is going on.
Hope this helps.
Good luck.
Okay, I had my MRI with contrast and saw the breast surgeon who told me the report looked good. He told me upon my visit that "clinically" that there wasnt anything else to do unless my cysts bothered me at which time they did he would aspirate them. Regarding my lymph node, he said the report didnt see anything unusual.....I went away happy......until he called today and said.....
He talked to my hemotologist who now wants to remove my laxillary ymph node. I am waiting at this moment for surgery to be scheduled. I am angry because I went away thinking I was finally in the clear and now I am freaking out. Can you tell me why they would remove an axillary lymph node if they dont think I have breast cancer? I am absolutely sick to my stomache thinking again that I am sick....it has been a year of that little monster in the back of my mind gnawing at me thinking something is wrong. Everything I read in the internet about axillary lymph node removal has to do with breast cancer....what other reasons are there for this proceedure? Please kindly respond as my head is spinning and I cant seem to get any answers from my "medical team"......please help....
He talked to my hemotologist who now wants to remove my laxillary ymph node. I am waiting at this moment for surgery to be scheduled. I am angry because I went away thinking I was finally in the clear and now I am freaking out. Can you tell me why they would remove an axillary lymph node if they dont think I have breast cancer? I am absolutely sick to my stomache thinking again that I am sick....it has been a year of that little monster in the back of my mind gnawing at me thinking something is wrong. Everything I read in the internet about axillary lymph node removal has to do with breast cancer....what other reasons are there for this proceedure? Please kindly respond as my head is spinning and I cant seem to get any answers from my "medical team"......please help....
Hi,
Well, the only option would be to wait for the MRI results to come in.
In such situations, even a few days , seem like ages.
About the axillary lymph nodes - they could be enlarged in association with any infective condition and so - if the cysts are infected then the lymph nodes would be enlarged.
Do keep us posted about your reports.
Also, ask for a copy of the MRI report too.
Hope this helps.
Good luck.
Well, the only option would be to wait for the MRI results to come in.
In such situations, even a few days , seem like ages.
About the axillary lymph nodes - they could be enlarged in association with any infective condition and so - if the cysts are infected then the lymph nodes would be enlarged.
Do keep us posted about your reports.
Also, ask for a copy of the MRI report too.
Hope this helps.
Good luck.
I am a 41 (almost 42) year old caucasian female. The axillary node has been there, as far as I can tell, since the last part of october. The node is not tender and it seems to be slowly getting larger. My Mri with contrast is scheduled for Monday and I meet with the breast surgeon on Wednesday for results. As far as the lymph nodes in my groin, I dont remember them there before but I wasnt looking for them either. I dont know if they are swollen but I can feel them. I know that you cannot tell me what is wrong with me but can you explain any more in detail about this swollen axillary node associated with my "multiple benign appearing" nodules. Besides the deoderant theory, does the axilla become swollen in association with cysts?
Thanks for your help. :)
Thanks for your help. :)
I am a 41 (almost 42) year old caucasian female. The axillary node has been there, as far as I can tell, since the last part of october. The node is not tender and it seems to be slowly getting larger. My Mri with contrast is scheduled for Monday and I meet with the breast surgeon on Wednesday for results. As far as the lymph nodes in my groin, I dont remember them there before but I wasnt looking for them either. I dont know if they are swollen but I can feel them. I know that you cannot tell me what is wrong with me but can you explain any more in detail about this swollen axillary node associated with my "multiple benign appearing" nodules. Besides the deoderant theory, does the axilla become swollen in association with cysts?
Thanks for your help. :)
Thanks for your help. :)
Hi,
The chances that this is cancerous or malignant are very low. A confirmed diagnosis would still be required to rule out a malignancy.
What is your age?
Sometimes lymph nodes in the axillary or arm pit area are enlarged due to shaving , waxing or using a deodarant.
Have they changed in size over time? The swellings in your groin region are also lymph nodes most probably and are not significant if small in size.
It would still be advisable to let your doctor examine them when you see her next.
Do not worry too much and just relax and wait for the MRI reports to come in.
Do keep us posted about your health.
Hope this helps.
Good luck.
The chances that this is cancerous or malignant are very low. A confirmed diagnosis would still be required to rule out a malignancy.
What is your age?
Sometimes lymph nodes in the axillary or arm pit area are enlarged due to shaving , waxing or using a deodarant.
Have they changed in size over time? The swellings in your groin region are also lymph nodes most probably and are not significant if small in size.
It would still be advisable to let your doctor examine them when you see her next.
Do not worry too much and just relax and wait for the MRI reports to come in.
Do keep us posted about your health.
Hope this helps.
Good luck.
I was not prescribed any antibiotics or anti-inflams. I havent had any infections lately and I can feel pea sized lumps in my groin area (2), one on each side.
I appreciate your response and I have my mri scheduled for next monday. The waiting is really tough. I will keep you posted.
I appreciate your response and I have my mri scheduled for next monday. The waiting is really tough. I will keep you posted.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Hi,
Were you prescribed any medications ( antibiotics, anti inflammatory meds)?If yes, has the lymph node swelling subsided?
Any previous infections?
Any other palpable mass in the groin area and neck?
The breast MRI will be able to shed some light.Your physicians will be able to decide from there. I suggest that you try to relax and stay positive as you wait for the results.
Keep us posted and secure a copy of all your imaging results .
Were you prescribed any medications ( antibiotics, anti inflammatory meds)?If yes, has the lymph node swelling subsided?
Any previous infections?
Any other palpable mass in the groin area and neck?
The breast MRI will be able to shed some light.Your physicians will be able to decide from there. I suggest that you try to relax and stay positive as you wait for the results.
Keep us posted and secure a copy of all your imaging results .
Have an Answer?
You are reading content posted in the Breast Cancer Community
A quick primer on the different ways breast cancer can be treated.
Diet and digestion have more to do with cancer prevention than you may realize
From mammograms to personal hygiene, learn the truth about these deadly breast cancer rumors.
A list of national and international resources and hotlines to help connect you to needed health and medical services.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
Herpes spreads by oral, vaginal and anal sex.
