lymph node

While shaving, I noticed (actually saw) a small bump in my armpit. It feels like a BB-very small. I can pinch it in my skin and it is completely detached. I wasn't too concerned at first, but I did notice another one above it. If I stretch my skin slightly I can see the second one more than feel it. I am planning on going to the doctor, of course. But until that appointment, I'd like to know if you think it could be a Lymph node? I am 39 years old, and have had a lymph node biopsied from my neck when I was 20. I guess that has always been on my mind, and makes me a little paranoid where lymph nodes are concerned. I also had 3 biopsies of calcifications in my breast (both breasts) when I was 33. So again-a little paranoid about breast cancer also! Not looking for a diagnosis-just would like to know the odds of it being a Lymph node.

[J.M. Keyes, MD]

It is certainly possibly that these are lymph nodes, and you should have them checked out if they aren't gone within a week or two.  If they are lymph nodes, though, it does not mean that there is a malignancy involved, as you know, so try not to spend too much time worrying about it in the meantime.  You should check your breasts for lumps, as obviously this would make getting to the doctor more urgent.

The fact that the lumps are so mobile (detached) is a good sign- malignant lumps are more often hard and fixed to the tissue (not mobile).  Because the lumps are so mobile and small and round (I'm assuming BB is short for blueberry?), there is also a good chance that they are benign lumps that aren't lymoh (lymph) nodes, like a lipoma or a cyst.

They do sound benign from your description, but obviously I can't tell you for sure without seeing them.

Good luck and let me know how it goes.

JMK MD

[m960]

I wanted to be clear-not a blueberry. BB meaning a bb from a Red Rider type of gun. Bad description, I apologize. No bigger than a zit you might get on your face. Both of them.

[J.M. Keyes, MD]

Sorry:)  I have a one year old currently obsessed with blueberries, so i guess it's all in your frame of reference!
if they are that small, they are less likely to be lymph nodes.

JMK MD

[m960]

I want to thank you-this site is an excellent site.

[J.M. Keyes, MD]

Please follow up and let me know what happens.  Glad to be of help.

JMK MD