enlarged axillary lymph node

[Jaquta]

Hi.  I have an enlarged axillary lymph node.  It has been enlarged for several months, that I am aware of.  I first noticed it when I had sore breasts prior to my period.  I have had a partial mastectomy and radiation on that side.  Should I be concerned and what, if any, tests are likely to be recommended?
I developed a breast abscess following surgery.  Not sure if that is relevant.  I had surgery in 2008 and radiation in ?March 2009.

[Jaquta]

Thanks!  
I saw my doctor today.  He suggested I take voltaren for the pain.  He did not do a breast exam though or ask any questions pertaining to it.  I have been anxious and depressed and without support for some time.  I have been struggling to not act on intense suicidal urges.  It's possible he was distracted by that and perhaps did not want to put me under further pressure by doing an exam.  ??
I feel rejected by this whole process and feel reluctant to make another doctor's appointment.
If the enlarged node were due to the abscess, wouldn't I have seen or felt something before now and not x many years later?  ??
Thanks for the info.  It helps me to menatlly prepare myself for possible scenarios.

[Dr. Kokil Mathur]

Hi
Welcome to the MedHelp forum!
Well, yes, you should be concerned. The lymph node could be due to the abscess you had post surgery. It could also be due to cancer. A CT or mammogram may be repeated and you may need to undergo fine needle aspiration or a lymph node biopsy. Wish you all the best! Take care!

[Jaquta]

I only had DCIS.  The margins following that surgery were clear.  I don't think it was deemed necessary to look beyond that.
Way back before any of this happened I thought I felt a lump (ball-bearing type thing) which my doctor examined and dismissed.  It was new to me but he was confident it was normal.  About a month after that I developed a spontaneous bloody nipple discharge.  I went through all the testing, was diagnosed with intraductal papillomas, then following surgery, DCIS.
Initially I thought the lump/ lymph node was just due to hormonal changes.  I did get my doctor to check it out.  He said it was a lymph node, was ?free-floating and noted its size.  He checked for cuts, etc on my arm which there were none.  He said that we should keep a close eye on it for the next few months.
I thought it might have decreased in size but I think it's about the same size as it was.

I had a slight accident last week when I was mowing my sister's lawn with a ride on lawn mower.  I got hit by a tree branch across my shoulder/ breast/ chest area.  My breast is quite sore and wakes me up in the morning.  I thought I might have bruised it but not sure.  There's nothing obvious.  Maybe a bit of swelling but again not sure.

I guess I was really just wondering what my doctor would likely recommend seeing the lump/ node is still there.  I guess the not knowing is making me feel a little anxious.

I value the opinions of members here on this forum so thought here was a good place to post.

Thanks for taking the time to respond to my post.

[nhwmp]

Was a lymphectomy not performed along with your masectomy? Please go see your doctor soon. Axillary lymph nodes are effected in breast cancer, and with your history you should have had this examined when you noticed it. It may not be a lymph node and could possibly be a lump instead. Lumps are most often found in the upper outer and axillary regions. Is it painful or moveable? If so then good chances it is not cancerous, but go to your doctor either way.