Lumpy "chain" under my arm

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Faye33
Faye33 Member Posts: 180
edited June 2014 in Not Diagnosed With a Recurrence or Metastases but Concerned

In the past month I have noticed what feels like a lumpy chain that runs from way deep in my armpit and down past the side of my breast implant.  I've been watching it for about a month and in my opinion the lumpiness seems to be growing.  I'm wondering if this is my lymph nodes, or just fatty tissue.  It feels clumpy like large clumps of fat, with large and small clumps spread throughout.  I had no lymph nodes taken from this side (just had DCIS in that breast), but I had two sentinal nodes taken from the other side, because that breast had invasive cancer.  The side where I had the nodes taken out does not have this clumpy/lumpy chain running through it.

I see my oncologist in a couple of days, but I've sensed they (my oncologist and NP) tend to blow me off because I was stage one and should just be OK.  Sometimes I wonder why I even go to my appointments really, cause if I tell them I'm have a symptoms (such as nausea for 9 months), they blow me off because I'd be much sicker if my cancer was back.  Really?  I was perfectly healthy and felt wonderful when I was diagnosed with cancer.  

Just wondering if anyone knows if this lumpy chain is normal and a non concern, or if I should be concerned enough to not let my oncologist blow me off once again.

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  • gemini4
    gemini4 Member Posts: 532
    edited March 2013

    Faye, I'm sorry I can't offer any advice about the lumps. However, they sound like something that deserve a close look. Also, if your onc is not someone with whom you feel comfortable, do you have options to shop around for a new one? You don't deserve to have your concerns dismissed as you describe.



    Hope it turns out to be nothing and that you get your questions answered! ((hugs))

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  • kathleen1966
    kathleen1966 Member Posts: 793
    edited March 2013

    My underarm is lumpy, but I had a mastectomy and lymph nodes removed so there is a reason for this to be scar tissue, etc...I would say that if it is not on the other side than you need to have it looked at. It could be your implant leaking into the armpit, it could be many things that are not cancer, but you should have this looked into. Ask them to do an ultrasound on the area. I hope you get comfort soon from this worry! 

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  • bevin
    bevin Member Posts: 1,902
    edited March 2013

    Dear Faye, I would definately tell your oncologist you are concerned and would like this checked out. They can do and inexpensive ultrasound to check lymph nodes and things. If your oncologist doesn't take your concern seriously, I'd suggest to also show your GP and your Gyn. They can both run tests  , order the same ultrasound as well . Make sure you are checked out. Good luck, I hope it's not serious.

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  • Faye33
    Faye33 Member Posts: 180
    edited March 2013

    I saw my oncology NP today and she deemed that the "lump" I'd found warranted her pulling the actual oncologist into the room to check it out.  They both reassured me they thought it was nothing serious, but ordered an ultrasound, because "it's better to be safe, then sorry".  Now, I have to keep myself from going crazy until the ultrasound four days from now.  The NP was baffled and couldn't decide what the "lump" was, but declared it as long, string-like and definitely hard.  The oncologist thought it felt like some sort of hardened muscle tissue.  I'm wondering if my implant has ruptured.  I have silicone implants.  Does anyone know if an ultrasound could determine if my implant was leaking or not?  My NP didn't know how a leaky silicone implant presents and my oncologist was in the room only long enough to examine my "lump".

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  • Faye33
    Faye33 Member Posts: 180
    edited March 2013

    My oncologist's office called with ultrasound results.  The ultrasound saw nothing that would explain the lump we are feeling.  My nurse practitioner's advice is watchful waiting.  I'm supposed to let them know if the lump grows or if I develop new pain in the area.

    I'm having a really hard time processing the fact that there is an obvious lump there that myself, my husband, the onocologist, and nurse practitioner can feel and they have no explaination as to what it is and I'm just supposed to be O.K. with that.  I told my Oncologist's office that I was having a hard time processing this fact.  They just reiterated watchful waiting is what they want to do.

    I feel like I'm playing russian roulette.  Logically, I know this lump probably is, in fact, nothing serious.  However, I've played the "this lump is probably nothing game" three years ago for eight months in my mind and it turned out it was breast cancer.  Now, I'm just supposed to be OK with having a lump be there because one test couldn't see it?  Maybe I'm over reacting, but I don't think any cancer survivor should have to play the wait and see game with a lump.

    I'm planning on making an appointment with my family doctor.  Maybe he can tell me what it is.  If they can tell me that lump is for sure not cancer, I will live with it camping under my arm forever.  Until then, I will not trust it...

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  • Racy
    Racy Member Posts: 2,651
    edited March 2013

    Have you asked your breast surgeon or plastic surgeon? One of them may be able to give you a diagnosis.

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  • kathleen1966
    kathleen1966 Member Posts: 793
    edited March 2013

    I think I have to say that I agree with you.  If they are able to feel this lump than they need to find out WHAT it is by ruling out what it's NOT. Ask for an MRI. I had some lumps recently in my arm-pit that could be felt by the surgeon.  The ultrasound showed nothing and then we went to an MRI which also showed nothing.  I was happy then.  You are not happy yet. You need to keep pushing until you are 100% happy. You clearly do not want to watch and wait. This is OK!!! Keep pushing!!! You deserve this peace of mind.

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  • indenial
    indenial Member Posts: 504
    edited March 2013

    I'd get a second opinion or ask for more tests. I think it's unacceptable to just wait & see, given your history. Hopefully it's nothing serious but even just the psychological effects of waiting warrant more prompt & thorough investigation. You deserve peace of mind!

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  • Faye33
    Faye33 Member Posts: 180
    edited March 2013

    I wrestled with the idea of not looking for a better answer as to what this lump is all weekend.  I had decided I was going to call today and get a appointment for a second opinion from my family doctor.  Much to my surprise, at 7:30 this morning my oncology NP called me personally and said she had discussed my ultrasound results with the oncologist and he is not O.K. with taking the wait and see approach.  They are going to order an MRI of the area.  I am so relieved!  

    Odds are it will be nothing, but experience has taught me odds mean nothing personally.  We each need answers we are personally comfortable with and that comfort level is different for everyone.

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  • sueinfl
    sueinfl Member Posts: 258
    edited March 2013

    I hope there is a simple and benign answer, Faye. I had two lymph nodes swell in the armpit on my left side where the cancer was after a viral infection last year. My onc ordered a PET which showed a change from an SUV of 1 on the previous PET to a 1.2. He said both were insignificant and probably a result of the infection which will show up on the PET. 

    The lumps now number four and the originials have increased in size. I am holding on til the end of the month for my scheduled appointment since I was just seen in January and told nothing had changed despite my feeling they had grown. I am thinking of seeing a local surgeon to just have at least the largest removed and biopsied. Like you, I was told for YEARS that my mammos and ultrasounds were clean despite feeling a lump. In my case, lobular are frequently radio-opaque. 

    Wishing you the best of luck and peace of mind!

    Sue

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  • curveball
    curveball Member Posts: 3,040
    edited March 2013

    I have had a similar lumpy cord or chain on my ribs below my surgery site for several weeks, and had the same symptoms only on the back of my rib cage for a couple of months last fall. I still don't know what it is/was, but the report on the ultrasound I had in January to check out the first occurrence says there was no abnormal soft tissue mass in that area. I hope your "chain" turns out to be nothing too.

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited March 2013

    However, I've played the "this lump is probably nothing game" three years ago for eight months in my mind and it turned out it was breast cancer.  Now, I'm just supposed to be OK with having a lump be there because one test couldn't see it? Maybe I'm over reacting, but I don't think any cancer survivor should have to play the wait and see game with a lump.

    Fay,  hugs... No youre not overreactiong at all. Please know that. Theres not ONE of us who could sit peacefully wondering if theres a lump, let alone knowing theres something sitting there . Glad you got the MRI. This is a HORRIBLE thing for any of us to go through once let alone again and again. All the best at getting to the bottom of this and I hope it turns out to be nothing. My lump wasn't picked up by a Mamm just a couple of weeks beforehand, because it was very deep. I know exactly how you feel about the "putting things off game". Russian roulette is EXACTLY how it feels.

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  • sueinfl
    sueinfl Member Posts: 258
    edited April 2013

    I finally saw my Onc Tuesday and he agreed that at least the largest node should be removed and biopsied. I saw a surgeon today who agreed and also wants to remove another at the top of my left recon breast. He is hoping it is fat necrosis, but wants to be sure. He offered to just excise/core biopsy it and I asked him to take the whole thing. I think he hates to mar the recon job, but I never want another core biopsy. 

    Faye, any results yet?

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  • Faye33
    Faye33 Member Posts: 180
    edited April 2013

    Thanks for asking, Sue!  Yes, I finally had my MRI Monday and got the results yesterday.  MRI did not see anything either, other then a few lymph nodes which were of no concern.  My oncology NP doesn't know what we are feeling in my armpit, but is speculating it may be a hardened clump of muscle tissue.  Why it's hardened, we don't know.  She said the next step would be to biopsy it, however the scans don't really show a need for a biopsy.  We have decided together to pursue a biopsy if the lumpiness grows.  I'm OK with this approach.  I feel an MRI should be pretty sensitive to something bad going on, however I realize there are no guarantees.  But my mind has been at peace with this decision now.

    I don't blame you for wanting those enlarged nodes out!  Are you set for a date on the procedure yet?  Wishing you benign results and peace of mind!

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  • Denise-G
    Denise-G Member Posts: 1,777
    edited April 2013

    I had "cording" in my mastectomy breast - it feels like a lumpy chain - good description.  I have Lymphedema, but apparently, it can happen to those who don't have Lymphedema.  It terrified me.  I discovered last June right after I finished chemo.  My Onc said wait and see...my Rad Onc said, if it's cancer, it will grow - DUH, and finally my Lymphedema Therapist said she thought it was cording.  Well, she was write.  It has gone down alot.

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  • curveball
    curveball Member Posts: 3,040
    edited April 2013

    @Denise-G, does cording come and go, or does it stay in one place? Is it painful? I'm still mystified about what may be causing my symptoms, similar to Faye33's.

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  • Denise-G
    Denise-G Member Posts: 1,777
    edited April 2013

    Here's what breastcancer.org says about cording...mine came and went - some days fuller -

    my Onc said scar tissue contributes to it - mine were kind of like two separate lumpy chains

    right along my MX scar - one was 2 inches long and the other about 3/4 inch - after 9 months

    they are mostly gone.    http://www.breastcancer.org/treatment/side_effects/aws

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  • curveball
    curveball Member Posts: 3,040
    edited April 2013

    Thanks Denise-G. The description from the main bco site doesn't sound like my symptoms, which are on my rib cage rather than my arm.

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  • Faye33
    Faye33 Member Posts: 180
    edited April 2013

    That is very interesting about the cording, Denise!  Did your cording hurt or cause a pulling sensation at all?

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  • Denise-G
    Denise-G Member Posts: 1,777
    edited April 2013

    Faye33-my cording didn't really hurt, but did have a pulling sensation.  I can still

    feel scar tissue now, but not the distinct cord any longer...

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  • 1openheart
    1openheart Member Posts: 765
    edited April 2013

    My cording hurt, alot.  I did not have any after my intial surgery, the UMX.  It occured only after I had my implant removed to do a pocket revision on the UMX side and a lift on my natural breast.  Both breasts needed incisions along the bottom of the breast along the chest wall for those procedures.  The cording started about 3-4 mos. after surgery in my case.  From what I have read, that is unusual.  I had very sore cords that went from under my breasts and down into my abdomen.  I think I had 3, maybe 4 distinct hard ropes.  They really hurt whenever I pressed on them or stretched.  Mine hung around for several months too.  So glad they are gone!

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  • sueinfl
    sueinfl Member Posts: 258
    edited April 2013

    I had the largest of the axillary nodes removed and a lump the surgeon didn't like above my left recon breast removed Monday. My onc says the results will not be available for up to two weeks. Don't you just love this waiting part...

    Faye, I am so glad your MRI showed no problem!

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  • Faye33
    Faye33 Member Posts: 180
    edited April 2013

    Hoping for a quick recovery from your surgery and also hoping for benign results, Sue!  

    Two weeks is a long time to wait... hopefully you will know results sooner than that.  Waiting is the worst part, I believe.  Wishing your days to be filled with wonderful things to keep your thoughts and days busy so before you know the two weeks will be behind you.     

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  • sueinfl
    sueinfl Member Posts: 258
    edited April 2013

    The wait was only one week, but the results were not what I hoped. I have a recurrence of my PILC with infiltration into the skeleton muscle. Next Monday is a PET and MRI to see if it is any where else. 

    Time to check out a new thread. My best to everyone here and hope I don't "see" you on the recurrence threads!  

    Sue

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  • 1openheart
    1openheart Member Posts: 765
    edited April 2013

    So very sorry sueinfl.  Sending warm wishes for peace and wellness.

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  • Faye33
    Faye33 Member Posts: 180
    edited April 2013

    So sorry about the heavy news, Sue.  Wishes for peace for you.

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  • melmcbee
    melmcbee Member Posts: 1,119
    edited April 2013

    Oh Sue. I am so sorry. Sending healing prayers and hugs your way.

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  • bevin
    bevin Member Posts: 1,902
    edited April 2013

    Dear Sueinfl, I'm so very sorry to read this. Wishing you peace and strength as you go forward.

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  • sueinfl
    sueinfl Member Posts: 258
    edited April 2013

    Thank all of you so much. MD Anderson, here I come...

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