Giant (4cm) lymph node

ChristaSea

I was diagnosed almost two months ago and start chemo (TCHP) next week. Today I had an ultrasound biopsy of my armpit because the breast MRI gave them some concerns. So here's the freaky thing: one of my lymph nodes is enlarged to 4 cm. That's almost twice the size of my breast tumor! What the heck?! Also, when I asked if there were other suspicious lymph nodes the tech said, "a handful" and then another tech said "3 or 4" Why can't anyone just give me a straight answer?

I can't find (or am searching in the wrong place for) info on ginormous lymph nodes. I'm waiting on pathology (the radiologist only biopsied the huge one and admitted that if it had cancer in it we'd assume the other suspicious nodes did too.)

What is my question? Has anyone had this? Am I a freak of nature? I already know I have cancer, why is THIS making me lose it?

Thank you.

inks

I know you are scared but don't jump ahead of yourself. Until you get the results of biopsy you only have enlarged/reactive lymph node. But often even the biopsy of the lymph node is not accurate and may give a false negative. I had an enlarged node, they did not biopsy it prior to surgery, that ended up having only micrometastases. And I assume these nodes did not pop up when they did your breast biopsy and ultrasound? This could mean that the nodes are simply reacting to the breast biopsy. I hope you find out soon either way. Hugs!

Alibeths

Good luck

NATSGSG

@christasea,  I agree with @inks you shouldn't stress yourself out before the biopsy result comes out.  Only this pathological report can tell you whether the nodes are benign (negative ) or  malignant ( positive ). The report will confirm the stage,  grade,  type of receptor and HER 2 genes you have  (+ or  -) which can help determine the kind of surgery and treatment plan you will receive. 

Once you get these results,  then I suggest you read up via the pubmed website on information similar to yr case to educate yrself. 

If you are planning on getting a lumpectomy and then reconstructive surgery, this link below can give you plenty of ideas of which method is the best for the latter. I read that even with a 4 cm tumor size, once it's shrink by chemo, you can still go for lumpectomy to save your breast.

http://www.hindawi.com/journals/ijbc/2011/303879/

I've copied and pasted a "How To Read Your Pathology Report" in this Diagnosed and Waiting For Results Page just above yours.

You could read my cancer journey under "While you are waiting,  please let me share.... " here at this link:

https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/147/topic/831038?page=1#idx_8

All the best to you... read read reading up and educating yourself well calm you down and enables you to take charge of your journey

Maggie7272

Hi Cristasea,

I too am newly diagnosed PR+HR+ waiting on the fish test.

I have two tumors left breast 4 cm, one node (that I know of) also 4cm. I'll be getting a pet scan this week. I wasn't nervous about scan until the 4cm node.

Keep me informed as I will you.

Hugs