Intramammary lymph nodes

My 'mass' was first discovered in August 2018 and I was called back for dx mammogram and ultrasound. I returned for my 6 month check up and since have had a few look at the images. It has been very confusing because my mass has been classified as several different things: possible node, complicated cyst, complex cyst, lymph node, not a cyst - solid - not sure, and possible intramammary lymph node. It is hypoechoic and has since become palpable where it was not when first discovered. It also has established a 'feeding tail' - not previously seen. No one seems to be able to verify what it actually is - other than 'it is most likely benign' and wait a year for a recheck. There is something about no one being able to state what it most likely is with consistency and waiting a year that just makes me nervous. Most that I talk with are shocked that no one thinks a biopsy is warranted.

Has anyone had issues with intramammary lymph nodes? Did it seem to come out of 'no where'? Have any of you experienced this 'vague' type of identifying what your growth actually was?

I appreciate any thoughts and/or insights anyone may have about this topic. This has been a very long year since last August.

“Has anyone had issues with intramammary lymph nodes?“

Hi jp18. Yes, I had an issue with an intramammary lymph node. I have LCIS so I was already on a six month alternation between mammogram and other types of imaging. In my case a small enhancing mass at 8-9:00 position in my left breast was noted on an MRI. This gave me a Birads 0 (inconclusive) score and a recommendation for a targeted US. The US was done within a day or two and did not show anything, except some “fibroglandular tissue.” (I have doubts about this US as the technician seemed very inexperienced.) The recommendation was a follow-up US at the time of mammogram in 6 months. At 6 mo. the mammogram still showed nothing, but the US (with an experienced US technician) showed a small round hypoechoic mass near the previous site of fibrograndular tissue that was thought to correspond to the MRI lesion. I got a birads 4/5 rating and a biopsy, which showed a benign intramammary node. No one ever explained to me why an intramammary node would have enhanced on an MRI or not be identifiable as suchon mammogram or ultrasound.

Your case sounds more complex than mine, what with the all the identification difficulties, so I can understand why you are still worried. Do you have somewhere else near you, like a NCI designated cancer center, where you can get a another opinion on your existing imaging?

Eigna, yes, both a mammogram and ultrasound. Biopsy was ultrasound guided. Apparently they look much alike on imaging-that is why the biopsy is necessary. A Birads 4a is considered less than a 10% chance of being cancer

I don’t remember. I couldn’t feel it

Eigna

There are nodes in the arm in the soft tissues just above the level of the elbow but because of the direction of lymph flow, this swelling usually represents an infection in the hand, and would be unrelated to the breast.

Biopsy was done on Friday. Doctor who did the biopsy told me it didn’t look like anything to worry about. It’s not a cyst but could be a fibroadenoma. The samples they collected mixed fluid and solid. Don’t know if it’s a good thing or bad thing. It is what it is. Now the waiting begins. 5 to 10 business days. Wish me good luck.