Should I push for an MRI?

Alingading

I had a baseline 3D mammogram in September that came back as BIRADS 2 (due to implants) with extremely dense breast tissue. Prior to my baseline, I had several lumps and pain in my left breast/armpit. Saw a doctor in November to check my lymph nodes in my armpit and he said that they felt fine. Saw my OBGYN the first week of December so that she could feel the lumps and tell me what she thought. She thought they felt normal but ordered an ultrasound for me. Had my ultrasound on New Year's Eve and, besides finding several cysts, the radiologist said everything looked fine (including axillary lymph nodes). I am still having pain in my left breast and pain/achiness/burning in my armpit. If it were just my breast, I don't think I would worry so much since I definitely saw all of the cysts. But I can't get over the feelings in my armpit and am worried that something was missed. Should I push for an MRI? Since everything came back OK, I don't know if they would order one and I doubt that it would be approved by insurance. Thoughts? Advice?

Alingading

Does anyone have any advice? Relative past experiences? Bueller?

brooke17927

@djmammo

brooke17927

Go post here, and see if he will answer you... https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/83/topics...

personally I think you should always push for clarification so I would but I don't have any personal experience other than I am scheduled for an MRI for dense breast tissue.

Alingading

Will do, thanks for the suggestion.

djmammo

Alingading

Ultrasound is my preferred imaging modality for axillary lymph node evaluation. If they are normal in overall size and shape, and the cortex is of normal thickness, the lymph node is deemed normal. If they are abnormal we look at the other side. If they are abnormal on both sides that would indicate something systemic rather than local.

Not every finding / symptom in the axilla is related to the breast. Deeper in there are nerves and vessels that come from the neck and chest respectively, and these are not evaluated on a routine evaluation of the axillary nodes. Ask you doctor(s) if vascular or neuromuscular problems could be causing your symptoms.

Alingading

Thank you for the response. I have an appointment with my GP on the 15th so I will be sure to bring up these concerns.