Abnormal Lymph Nodes - No Other Symptom

Amandalbee

Hello.

I’m currently waiting for my next appointment and am looking to see if anyone else may have experienced what I am going through.

In November 2017, I went to my OB because I felt a small lump in my left breast, which was painful. I am 36 andhave no history of breast cancer, but my mother had it, my paternal grandmother had it, and my paternal great aunt recently died of it. My doctor expected it was a cyst, but because of my family history, she felt like I should have it checked out and ordered both a mammogram and ultrasound. The mammogram was fine and revealed that I have mildly dense breasts. But it did catch a glimpse of a lymph node in my armpit, so they ordered more images of both sides of axillary lymph nodes for comparison. I could tell something was off because the Radiologist was focusing on one spot in my right armpit and taking lots of pictures and measurements. It turns out that I have 2 suspicious lymph nodes scored as BI-RADS 4. One is 2.2 x 2 x 0.8cm with a large fatty hilus and massive focal wall thickening (7mm). The other is small but with no visible hilus.

The next week I was sent for a core needle biopsy. It took over a week for my results, but I finally heard it came back negative but I should have a recheck in 6 months.

This past Monday, I had my follow up ultrasound. They found the big lymph node right away, and I knew that wasn’t good. The techs couldn’t find the little one, so the Radiologist came in and found it in about a minute. She said they haven’t changed at all. The Radiologist who performed my biopsy was satisfied that the lymph nodes were reactive, but this Radiologist disagrees and wants my lymph nodes removed. She said that this is the only way to know for sure.

Yesterday my OB called me after reviewing the Radiologist’s report. She sounded concerned and explained she would get me a referral to a surgeon right away.

Today I got the call from the Oncologist’s office to schedule my appointment, and the girl explained that she was making me an appointment with their Radiologist that they trust more. They said he reviewed my scans and wants to talk to me, which they said is very rare. They told me I have a complicated case. He is apparently freeing up time on his schdule on Monday so he can see me.

So now I’m waiting again and wondering why my case is so different that I am getting special treatment from their Radiologist. I am hoping that he is going to tell me I’m fine and to go home, but then why do I have to go in (maybe that’s normal though). I am guessing it’s a good sign that I am seeing another Radiologist and wasn’t just sent straight to a surgeon. I have concerns about having my lymph nodes removed, but I’m also concerned about the cause of this. I feel fine and don’t have any other systems—this was found purely by chance.

Has anyone gone through anything similar?

Thanks for reading, and good luck to everyone on here.

~Amanda