Enlarged Axillary Lymph Nodes

Hello,

I typically don't post on discussion boards, so I am very new at doing this, but I am very scared. I am 28yrs old and I noticed an enlarged lymph node under my right armpit about 2 months ago. I got an ultrasound and they discovered that I have not one, but two, enlarged lymph nodes (one is 1.8cm and the other is 1.9cm). The lady who did the ultrasound told me that the doctor said they were plump lymph nodes and I didn't have to worry. A couple days later, my women's health doctor called and recommended that I see a general surgeon if they were still present. I've spoken to the general surgeon and he said that since the lymph nodes are close to 2cm, they may indicate cancer, but he cannot be sure unless I get surgery to have them taken out and tested (or get a sample tested with a needle).

I have another appointment on October 13 with another surgeon who is going to give me a breast examination to check for breast cancer before I get my lymph nodes tested because the doctor said this is a requirement even if I, myself, cannot feel any breast lumps. I hate waiting so long. I also heard that sometimes breast cancers cannot be felt. I am so worried, because about 3 years ago, I noticed that my right nipple started to invert, or push inwards at times (usually when I'm cold or after wearing my bra). This is new and I didn't realize until recently that it could indicate breast cancer. Could I have had breast cancer for 3 years without any lumps? Also about 3-4 years ago, I also noticed that I have a feint line beneath my right breast that looks like it's due to the wire of my bra, but even after not wearing my bra an entire day, the line is still there. It's hard to explain, but it is almost as though the breast tissue is being faintly separated below and above this "line" (it looks as though my bra wire lightly pressed a line between my fat tissue). I'd previously thought that small changes like that was normal as I get older (I was around 24 when I noticed this), but now I'm not sure if this is a symptom of breast cancer.

I don't know if I am worrying too much or if my worries are logical... I don't want doctors to think I'm a hypochondriac or anything. I am just not used to this "doctor stuff", as this is the first time I've been to the doctors in ten years. I will bring the breast changes up again at my next appointment. I had already mentioned the inverted nipple to my women's health doctor as she was examining my lymph nodes, but she didn't say anything about it. Instead, she asked me if breast cancer ran in the family. I told her that I didn't think so. She didn't seem too worried, but she ordered an ultrasound (that is when they discovered that I had two lymph nodes - 1.8cm and 1.9cm).

I found out that sometimes lymph nodes are large for no particular reason, and I was hoping to go for that possibility, but I have two enlarged lymph nodes... I don't know how likely it would be to have two unexplained enlarged lymph nodes.

I hope this all makes since. I am just worried and have no one to talk to about this. Browsing the internet does nothing but freak me out even more. I was reading that someone could have cancer for 5 or more years before knowing it.

Any thoughts on the situation would help while I wait the grueling wait between appointments.

Thank you,

Heather