Found something not sure if it's a lymph node or lump or ???

Options
Kris10mo
Kris10mo Member Posts: 13
edited June 2020 in Not Diagnosed But Worried

Hi. My name is Kristin. I'm 51 and as of this month, May, I'm 12 months without a period so I guess that means menopause. On and off for the past several months, I have had a "feeling" in my left breast...we'll more the armpit actually. I had never felt anything during my self exams, until this month. A small round moveable pea shape thing. I'm freaking out. My last mammogram was in July 2019 and I had the weird feeling then but everything was fine.

I've been scared to do anything, but I saw my GP today and she says she did not feel anything but I asked her for a CT as I want more than a mammogram done. She agree to it and I'm just waiting for it to be scheduled. I am hoping and praying it's just hormones causing the node to be different.


Has anyone ever experienced anything similar?


Thank you,

Kristin

· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • djmammo
    djmammo Member Posts: 2,939
    edited May 2020

    Kris10mo

    A CT is not the best modality to evaluate a pea sized nodule. You may see it but it would be difficult to tell what it is. US is much better for this. Also CT's resolution is too low to evaluate the breasts, mammograms have much higher resolution. This is why we don't do breast CT's.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Kris10mo
    Kris10mo Member Posts: 13
    edited May 2020

    Hi, yes I know a CT isn't the best test, but the doctor wants more than just the breast evaluated. I have horrible neck and shoulder pain, as well as ulcers. I have what I think is heartburn, but she wants to see the whole chest, arm, muscular areas along with breast. She says she can't feel anything any swollen lymph nodes or lumps. So we'll see what the CT shows, and go from there.


    CT is scheduled for June 2nd. The pain comes and goes, and when I ice it, it goes away for a couple days.


    I don't know what to think. I know I have herniated disks in my neck that cause a lot of swelling in neck and chest...so hoping that is all that it is..or related to my ulcers.. I don't know. I guess il be finding out soon.


    Thank you,

    Kristin

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • djmammo
    djmammo Member Posts: 2,939
    edited May 2020

    Kris10mo

    CT may be able to show a hiatal hernia if you have one causing GERD but it is not as good as MRI for disks. Also I am not sure how herniated disks would cause swelling. CT is good for lymph nodes in the chest. Depending upon the scanner your arms may not be sufficiently included in a standard chest CT exam.

    Ulcers give you abdominal pain that is relieved with food, and is easily treated non-surgically these days. Heartburn is the feeling of a hot coal behind the lowest part of your sternum that is relieved with antacids. There are good meds for that too.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • jcp
    jcp Member Posts: 112
    edited June 2020

    djmammo, This is JCP. Thsnk you very much for checking this site. I appreciate all of your help as I know everyone else does also. Here's a situation. I'll try and be quick. Had ct scan of thoracic area 2 weeks ago today. The reason for ordering it is be my chest xray that asthma dr ordered ishowed an area of calcification (s) in the hilar region left side. First I was told it was not a problem, then I was told it was a node, and last I was told it was a lymph node by pulmonologist. Due to my history of br ca in 2005, the pulmonologist wanted a CT to see more of it. Ok, so I had it but have such bad anxiety that I have been having a hard time calling them. They have not called me yet. Dr. should have had report Tusday after Memorial Day, the rad dept said when I was there.okay so 2 things: 1. What are you thinking about the calcification on lymph node in lung? They also saw some air pockets and mentioned asthma about it. The calciified node was not on my most prior chest xray back in late 2013. Back then 2013, there was scarring on lower lobes of lungs (gone now) and a small pleura effusion (gone now) that they never told me about when I came in for chest pain.. 2. I usually wait for dr to call on results hoping most of time it will be later rather than sooner bc sometimes it could mean that the results could be ok bc not quick call. My mom had br ca in 1987 till 2006. She did pretty well for that time period and even had it in her bones for 12 years and led a very busy active life for most of while time. I guess the dr could've forgotten about me, too, though. I guess calling them is right thing to do. But do the drs generally call you sooner than later if something is suspicious? If so, that will give me a little more confidence to call asap now. Thank you, JCP Susan


    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • jcp
    jcp Member Posts: 112
    edited June 2020

    djmammo, thank you for checking on this site. We appreciate it! Here's the situation. My asthma dr ordered a chest xray. It came back noting area (or lymph node, I was told later by pulmonologist) of calcification(s) in left hilar region, along with some air pockets they attributed to asthma issues. First PA allergist said ok not a problem, then told it should be looked into due to previous dx of br ca in 2005 to check it. I got the thoracic CT 2 weeks ago today. The rad dept said dr will have results in 2 days so with Memorial Holiday that would mean by last Tuesday. The dr or office hasn't called me yet. I have such bad anxiety that most times I try and wait till they call me, hoping it will be later rather than sooner. I sometimes think if the dr hasn't called yet, it may be a good sign bc wouldn't they call iearlier if it was concerning? I just wondered your thoughts about that along with what you feel about the xray results, please. My last chest xray was in late 2013 and calcifications weren't seen. Back then I had some scarring in lower lobes (gone now) and a small pleural effusion (gone now) that no one ever told me about in ER when had chest pain. My mom had br ca back in 1987 so the br ca is even more difficult. Thank you in advance. JCP, Susan ( dx 2005 October, IDC, .9 cm, grade 2, 0/2 sentinel nodes positive, Er/Pr positive, her2neu negative, oncotype dx 18, lumpectomy, chemo AC 4 x, rads whole br rt side 30 x)

    I

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • djmammo
    djmammo Member Posts: 2,939
    edited June 2020

    jcp

    This is a bit outside the area of breast imaging but chest ct is a very good method for looking for pulmonary mets. If they suspect that there are, I assume they would recommend a PET scan which is both sensitive and fairly specific for mets and the scan is from head to toe.

    Calcifications may not be a bad thing on a chest film, people develop them from asymptomatic fungal infections very common in certain parts of the country (Ohio River Valley, San Joaquin Valley). Also I don't believe pulmonary mets from breast calcify, at least not enough to be visible on a standard chest xray.

    In my experience the most common reason for a late report is the rad who needs to read it or sign off on it, is on vacation.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Kris10mo
    Kris10mo Member Posts: 13
    edited June 2020

    Hi and thank you for your reply. My CT showed normal findings, except for "thyroid changes", whatever that means. I had a partial thyroidectomy in 2001 so not sure what's up now; I have blood work scheduled for next week.

    I am glad the CT didn't show anything. I had my arms over my head and they had the code listed as looking for a lump, and I asked the tech if I had a lump, would a CT show it, and she said yes. So I'm somewhat relieved. Regardless, I have my yearly mammogram and breast exam next month, so it'll be addressed again for more clarity. I'm still not at ease, so the next few weeks will be on edge.


    Thank you,

    K




    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Categories