palpable mass in axillary area not seen in imaging

serena70

Hi,

I'm very confused. I have a palpable mass right underneath my armpit. It feels large to me 1.5 inches. It wasn't shown on the diagnostic mammogram (although no marker was placed). It wasn't shown on the US although I'm not sure if it was properly imaged. It's highly mobile and disappears under the pectoral muscle with arm raised.

My Pcp felt it after many attempts and sent me for an MRI of the breast which I had today. I asked the tech if the MRI covers all the axillary area and she said no. She would try to cover as much as possible.

Already got the results back with showed no mass and normal lymph nodes. My Dr said...maybe it's fat. But wouldn't hat show up?

I left a message with the breast center asking for clarification and telling my concerns.

Anyone know how you can have a decent size mass and not have it show up? Should I just drop it?

Thanks

AliceBastable

Perhaps a lipoma? They move easily. The pressure of the US might have moved it out of imaging range.

serena70

Wouldn't it show up on an mri if it was in imaging range if it was a lipoma? It makes me think they didn't image it. Of course that worries me. But on the other hand the mass symptoms fall under that benigh symptom range and how hard do you push when people keep telling you that you are fine?

Moderators

Hi serena, and welcome to Breastcancer.org,

We're so very sorry you're here and worrying, but glad that you've found us. As you can already see, many here are always willing to weigh in and share their thoughts and suggestions to help you make the best decision for your health.

We hope you get answers soon, and that you get some clarification! Please keep us posted!

--The Mods

marijen

Well I don’t think a mammogram shows under the arm lymph nodes. But mine did show on the Ultrasound and they did a biopsy immediately. I’ve also had ultrasounds on the other side that at least showed the size of the lymph nodes but didn’t indicate cancer.

serena70

Thanks....heard back from my doctor.

"I called and spoke with the radiologist. The scan covered ALL of your axilla. I apologize. There were some lymph nodes in the axilla, and this is very likely what is being felt. One is about 2cm, and right next to it is about 1cm. That's pretty good sized and would be palpable. The lymph nodes are NORMAL on the MRI, meaning not concerning, they have nothing concerning about them that would indicate cancer. They are reactive, meaning from a past infection or inflammation."

It sure feels like one really big lymph node but it's relief to it has been seen is a benign finding. Thank you for the support and responses.

marijen

Oh that’s good news. Yes they can be enlarged without being cancer. Time to exhale