I was treated 11 years ago (at age 44) for and aggressive invasive breast cancer, had a left side mastectomy, all lymph gland removal on that side, and 6 months chemo. The removed lymph nodes revealed no cancer cells. All has been well until a recent MRI and ultrasound found an axilary lymph gland on the right healthy side was found to be enlarged. The elongated node is "burried in the chest wall muscle". Subsequent biopsy of the node shows cancer cells, but there was no cancer mass found in that side's breast with these tests. I am confused, as I am told this may be a reoccurance of the previous cancer. But how can that be with no cancer in that breast, and after 11 years? If it is a reoccurance, would that cancer have to be elsewhere in the body to show up in the lymp node? If so, would it be considered a metastases? I was told it may also be a "new" cancer. If that is so, would it be breast cancer, or what other kinds of cancer can this be? I am waiting to see an Oncologist, and I'm not getting good answers from my primary care doctor, and I am finding little on this situation on line.
Also, I have been suffering from acute uticaria, fever (99-101 F), general ill feeling, and high white blood count. Interestingly, 4 months prior to diagnosis eleven years ago, I had the exact same symptoms occur. Can there be some link between cancer and these horrible hives?