Enlarged lymphnode

[anna4969]

hello

I am a 45 year old female who just had a mammogram and ultrasound 3 days ago.  The findings were explained to me as appearing as a normal mammogram, however radiologist said my breasts are extremely dense and very hard to read.  He strongly suggested an MRI.  Of more immediate concern, the ultrasound on right breast showed 2 enlarged lymph nodes in that armpit.  One measuring 1.3 and the other 2.5.  In addition, in recent blood work, my white blood cell count was well within the normal range.  The radiologist was concerned.  My breast has felt somewhat uncomfortable, I can't pinpoint, just odd.  In addition, my mother had breast cancer at 64 years old and my sweet father passed away of advanced prostate cancer 4 years ago.  So clearly, there is history of cancer.  My ob/gyn has suggested I see a surgeon before we even do the MRI.  Please advise as to what you might make of this.  I am really trying to keep all in perspective, but have been dealing with enormous stress prior to this with my sweet mother passing away less than 2 months ago.  So naturally, this has really become an even more stressful time for me with such information and not knowing what this may or may not mean with two enlarged lymph nodes and a normal white blood cell count.

Thank you for any suggestions and advice.

[anna4969]

Thank you so very much for the response.  You information about them becoming enlarged and not always returning to normal size is interesting.  As I told the radiologist that less than a month and a half ago, I had the flu.  Which was probably the swine flu because my husband had it at the same time and did go to the dr. and have that confrimed, whereby I did not go to get that confirmed.  Maybe we are on to something there.  Anyway, I spoke with my ob/gyn yesterday and she suggested I go straight to the surgeon and let him decide how to proceed.  As anyone would be in this situation, I am quite worried because this particular breast just doesn't feel right to me.  It feels inflamed.  Do you know if you can have some sort of inflamatory situation in one breast only and it not show on ones blood work.  As the ob/gyn did quite a blood work up about 3 weeks ago, prior to this current information and all was perfect except for my Vitamin D level which was moderate to severe deficieny.  That even has me worried as I have done a bit of research on vitamin D deficiency and how that can play a role in cancer.  Worrisome information at that.  Please advise.  And thank you for your kind thoughts for the passing of my sweet mother.  I miss her so and really wish she were here to ease this burden as all mothers naturally do.  

[japdip]

I think I would wait until after the MRI to do anything else. There are so many reasons for lymph nodes to become enlarged and once they have become enlarged they don't always return to what would be considered a normal size. There is plenty of time to consult a Surgeon after all the testing is completed and chances are the Surgeon may want the MRI before making any recommendation.  Please accept my sincere sympathy on the passing of your Mother.     Kindest regards ....