Alh with no tumor but positive nodes

Michele6467

I was just diagnosed with 2 postive nodes in the right axillary. Had mri mamo pet scan and ultra sound. No one can find the primary. Anyone ever hear of this? I also was diagnosed with alh.

Ninja6812

I discovered lump (tumor under arm) while shaving. Had ultrasound and found more tumors. Radiologist did mammo and ultrasound of breast - nothing. Had needle biopsy of lymph node and that's where BC was found to be primary source of cancer. Then had pet scan and MRI which located the breast cancer. Prior to biopsy the docs suspected lymphoma. Have you had biopsy of lymph node? I hope you get some clarity soon. So much easier when you know your adversary. best wishes to you

Michele6467

Yes he did a needle biopsy from an axillary node at it showed carcinoma but not enough sample to type but did say not lymphoma. Then did a pet scan and mri. Still no tumor in breast but 10 axillary nodes lite up. Doc want to do a full right axillary disection next week. So far had a mamo ultrasound petscan mri and everyone in the valley has felt me up but no one can find the primary only thing lighting up are the axillary nodes.

Sultana

y

Yes, this is the same for me, DCIS high grade with comedonecrosis in the breast, thought a straight forward lumpectomy. My breast surgeon took the sentinel nodes as a precaution and there it was in one of the sentinel nodes, but no indication of it having come from the breast. Although it tested for breast cancer ER+ PR+ HER2-(FISH) they still don't know where the primary is.

MelissaDallas

Michele, do a search here for "occult primary" and there are other threads with women in the same situation. I tried to post a link for you but my link didn't work

Moderators

Hi Michele. Welcome to Breastcancer.org. Sorry that you have to find yourself here, but glad you found this wonderful community!

Following MelissaDallas's excellent advise, we found a topic that you may find interesting to post and/or read. It is called Topic: Occult Primary with Lymph Node Metastases, under the Less Common Types of Breast Cancer forum. Just click on the link and you'll be able to connect with others under very similar circumstances. We hope this helps. Let us know how it goes!

The Mods

farmerlucy

You might get some comfort and maybe some answers in a second opinion on the pathology.