Lymph Node Nightmare

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Lorih555
Lorih555 Member Posts: 18
edited August 2019 in Not Diagnosed With a Recurrence or Metastases but Concerned

Has anyone had an enlarged or suspicious lymph node POST mastectomy be anything other than cancer recurrence?? I’m so sick of these doctors. They fart around with tests when i just want them removed! But oh no I know nothing. I can’t even endure another biopsy on a horribly painful area. I’m swollen & in pain under my arm. Had ultrasound yesterday & I’m just curious how often it’s nothing, oran infection or something other than cancer.

Thank you!

Lori in Clearwater FL.

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  • KBeee
    KBeee Member Posts: 5,109
    edited August 2019

    It is often related to infection or something as simple as an ingrown hair. Lymph nodes swell for tons of reasons...most of them not cancer, but it's wise to always get a swollen node checked, so I'm glad you did. They try not to remove them unnecessarily because of the risk of lymphedema, etc. When will you get the ultrasound results?

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  • Lorih555
    Lorih555 Member Posts: 18
    edited August 2019

    I had an mri which led to an ultrasound & now she wants me to do a biopsy. I have no idea what else it could be. I’m a bit swollen & in pain.

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  • KBeee
    KBeee Member Posts: 5,109
    edited August 2019

    It rots to have to do a biopsy, but ultimately, that will let you know exactly what it is. Praying it is a reactive node. Is the biopsy scheduled yet?

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  • Lorih555
    Lorih555 Member Posts: 18
    edited August 2019

    I heard doing a biopsy on a lymph node is like shooting at a moving target. I never did one before my mastectomy cuz I’m such a wimp & they were coming out anyway. So now I’m worrying about false negatives. Gotta worry about something! Lol

    Re scheduling I got a call from radiology to schedule an “ultrasound.” I told her I had that done 3 days ago & she said ok then, bye-bye. I’m like omg get it together ppl!! 🤯

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  • SimoneRC
    SimoneRC Member Posts: 419
    edited August 2019

    Hi Lorih555!

    Sorry you find yourself here. Hoping for the best for you!

    I had a bilateral mastectomy April 2018. Nodes were clear. Was scheduled for my oncologist appt the day before my hysterectomy surgery at the end of April 2019, one year after the mastectomy. He felt a suspicious node in my axilla and ordered an ultrasound. I had to wait until after the surgery. Headed to the ultrasound 3 weeks later. BIRADS 4. I had the biopsy. She took several samples and was confident she hit the node. It came back benign. Recommended a follow up ultrasound in 4 - 6 months.

    Hang in there. Fingers crossed for you that yours is clear as well!

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  • Lorih555
    Lorih555 Member Posts: 18
    edited August 2019

    thank you!!!! Prayers for us all🙏🏼

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  • Anna-33
    Anna-33 Member Posts: 192
    edited August 2019

    Several times unfourtenately 😔... but happy to say that after ultrasounds and biopsies the results have been som reactive lymphnodes and one fatcyst.

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  • blah333
    blah333 Member Posts: 270
    edited August 2019

    Yes, me. It is so stressful. I have two troubling nodes now. One is stable, the other was biopsied but thickened more, they always want me to get biopsies after Ultrasounds, but fine needle aspirations are a pain in the ass! I dread them. I used to like going to radiology but now it's a drag. The only way to be for sure is a biopsy, they want to cover their asses and also catch anything ASAP "better safe than sorry." You can opt to monitor things if you want.

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  • FarAwayToo
    FarAwayToo Member Posts: 255
    edited August 2019

    I had a very enlarged painful lymph node 4 weeks after mastectomy. It was probably there right after surgery. but at 4 weeks I finally felt comfortable enough to touch my armpit, and found the node. I also had an infection on arm skin (same side as the node) from an ingrown hair (the beauty of doing chemo before surgery and having your hair grow back while recovering from BMX).

    My MO was pretty sure the node was swollen either from infection or as a result of mastectomy. I had 4 nodes taken on that side, and all were clear. I also had very good response to chemo in the breast, so nobody offered imaging, just monitoring. The node went down VERY slowly, probably took a month to become slightly palpable but smaller and not as painful. I think if I dig in my armpit I can still find it - small and mobile. My breast center has an amazing NP. Any time I would come in and she saw me in the hallway (and I did come in a lot, because I was on Lupron, so I was there at least every 4 weeks), she would offer to take a look at my node, and every time she assured me it was getting smaller. Finally, I felt it really was smaller, and let it go.

    So, yes, it can be a reactive lymph node, especially, if you are not far out of your surgery.

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