Lymph Node Question

Dorothy Lynn · New User Joined: 02 Aug 2007 Posts: 3

I recently had a screening mammogram and a few days later was called back for a more thorough mammogram. Naturally I was anxious but because I am faithful about my yearly mammograms, I thought if something had happened, I would be catching it early.

The radiologist, after viewing the second set of "pictures", said he had called me back for a second mammogram to get a better look at two lymph nodes in my left breast.

He said the second mammogram didn't shed any further light on the two lymph nodes and he wants me to return for a third mammogram in six months. He did not seem particularly concerned whatsoever and quite obviously was NOT a doctor I could ask about much of anything.

I left the imagining center totally bewildered - wondering what these two suspicious lymph nodes would indicate if there is any change visible in six months.

Are they a possible precursor to breast cancer?

Would a change indicate cancer spreading to my breast from another part of my body? Exactly one year ago I had a thorough check-up, everything from mammogram to colonoscopy to endoscope, etc., and everything was normal. I am 65, do not take any prescription drugs, and feel healthy.

I wanted to ask the radiologist about persistant pain I have in the armpit next to the breast he was concerned about...but he behaved like he was too rushed to discuss anything and I'm just thoroughly upset. I almost feel swollen under that armpit but the pain is not constant, it comes and goes for no real reason.

I was hoping someone might be willing to share their experiences with this lymph node question. Can I assume that the radiologist's abruptness with me was a sign that it's nothing to worry about - or should I look for a new imaging center?

THANK YOU.

Dorothy Lynn

Muttsmom · Posted: Thu Aug 02, 2007 10:40 pm Post subject: Re: Lymph Node Question

Hi Dorothy Lynn,

I'm not a fan of waiting for 6 months and trying again. All mammograms can do is show a suspicious area, not diagnose. If he's seeing something in your lymhn nodes and you're having pain there, I would go see a doctor. It could be nothing more then an infection, but I wouldn't assume anything. Mammograms miss 35% of all breast cancer in women over 50 and 45% in women under 50. I found a lump and the mammogram came back clear and I was told the ultra sound showed 2, 1cm B9 cyst and to come back in a year. I wasn't comfortable with that and called a surgeon myself. That's when I learned that a radiologist couldn't tell if it was a B9 cyst or cancer, just that something was there that was abnormal. Thank God I didn't wait. I was dx Stage III with 9 positive lymph nodes at 43. I felt fine and thought I'd feel bad if it was cancer or lose a lot of weight, not true. Again, it very well may be nothing more than an infection, but I wouldn't wait 6 months to get another mammogram. What happens if he sees the same thing..........wait another 6 months........ I wouldn't.
_________________
Nancy
2/14/02 ILC 43 - 5.5 cm 9+/16 nodes
Stage IIIA er/pr+ Her2-
2/02 MRM
FECx6 radsx33
Tamoxifen - Arimidex (chemo induced menopause)
4/03 SM w/bilat. recon.
9/03 expanders removed
5/04 repair reconst. disaster
10/04 Actonel for bone/joint pain from Arimidex
NED - 5 years
3/07 Diabetes
In memory of Kim 12/1/04

Dorothy Lynn · New User Joined: 02 Aug 2007 Posts: 3

Nancy,

Thank you for taking the time to share your experiences, I sincerely appreciate your advice.

I don't know what kind of doctor to try to see...with two mammograms that don't indicate anything positive, I'm afraid no one will see me. I ordinarily see a family doctor/internal medicine and all my specialists (orthopedic, G/I, ENT, gynecologist, etc.) but I honestly don't think any other doctor will address my fears if the radiologist doesn't pinpoint a problem.

Are there other tests I could request? Our insurance is so weird - they aren't ever particularly receptive to anything not absolutely essential and I cannot afford to pay to start over with another doctor.

I'm overwhelmed - my husband has had two open-heart surgeries and isn't well, I'm my mother's primary caregiver, and I have two little dogs with tremendous special needs...and I'm also wondering if I'm too stressed out and emotionally drained to even be thinking straight. Am I making a mountain out of nothing? Reading what so many here have been through, I feel like a jerk even asking about such a personal concern.

I do know that if I was facing cancer, I definitely would need professional help more willing to work with me and answer my questions than this radiologist. I'm also sorely disappointed in the quality of medical care my family seems to receive and two years ago my father died during surgery because of a doctor's negligence.

Maybe I'm just over-reacting to everything. I don't know how to go to another doctor and say I've had two mammograms, the radiologist doesn't seem particularly concerned about two lymph nodes, but I'm scared. I really don't believe anyone will take me seriously at this point.

Dorothy Lynn

Muttsmom · Posted: Fri Aug 03, 2007 11:11 am Post subject: Re: Lymph Node Question

I'd call my GYN and/or Family Doc until you find one that will listen. This wait and see game is for the birds. Mammograms are 100% or close to it and any doctor or radiologist that takes it as the gospel of tests is a fool. I know, I had one of those and had I waited, I probably wouldn't be here today. They can do a biopsy which is painless and it will confirm if it's cancer or not. I would accept nothing less. And no, you are not over-reacting. You're being pro-active and that's what we all need to be.
_________________
Nancy
2/14/02 ILC 43 - 5.5 cm 9+/16 nodes
Stage IIIA er/pr+ Her2-
2/02 MRM
FECx6 radsx33
Tamoxifen - Arimidex (chemo induced menopause)
4/03 SM w/bilat. recon.
9/03 expanders removed
5/04 repair reconst. disaster
10/04 Actonel for bone/joint pain from Arimidex
NED - 5 years
3/07 Diabetes
In memory of Kim 12/1/04

Dorothy Lynn · New User Joined: 02 Aug 2007 Posts: 3

Thanks again, Nancy. I need encouragement - that's a fact! Wink

My so-called life has been so chaotic the past few years that I know (or worry) that people will think I'm over-reacting. I fear being seen as a middle-aged hypochondriac! I've actually always been SO healthy that I don't honestly know how to pursue something like this.

When I get more time I want to pursue another question - I've heard people say that extreme stress is often associated with cancer and I'm curious what y'all believe.

I've read many pages in this forum and am so totally blown away by the courage and determination of so many cancer victims. Y'all are absolutely an amazing group of people.

Dorothy Lynn

Muttsmom · Posted: Fri Aug 03, 2007 12:46 pm Post subject: Re: Lymph Node Question

Hi,

Of course I meant to say that mammograms are NOT 100% accurate. I should proof read before I send Smile

I personally think stress does have a lot to do with cancer cells mutating. I was in a horrible marriage, involving physical and mental abuse and after finally finding a way out (I had moved out of town when I married him and had no family or friends close), is about the time I was dx too. I don't know if there are any studies saying it's a factor, but I know many believe it is based on their lives prior to dx.

The fact that you're having pain in the nodes that are showing abnormal on the mammogram is reason enough for someone to get off their butt and check things out further. Even without pain, when there is something abnormal on a mammogram, it should be checked out. My mammogram missed a 5.5 cm tumor and it was in 9 of my lymph nodes. Yours is showing a red flag, so don't wait. If it is something, catch it NOW. If it's something like an infection, you still need to catch it NOW. Neither go away on their own and will only get worse with time.
_________________
Nancy
2/14/02 ILC 43 - 5.5 cm 9+/16 nodes
Stage IIIA er/pr+ Her2-
2/02 MRM
FECx6 radsx33
Tamoxifen - Arimidex (chemo induced menopause)
4/03 SM w/bilat. recon.
9/03 expanders removed
5/04 repair reconst. disaster
10/04 Actonel for bone/joint pain from Arimidex
NED - 5 years
3/07 Diabetes
In memory of Kim 12/1/04

brainman · Posted: Fri Aug 03, 2007 2:01 pm Post subject: Re: Lymph Node Question

Hi Dorothy and Nancy,

Nancy, I would only differ with you on one point... your stories are not exactly alike. Where your mammogram revealed a lump that your doctor's discounted as being nothing to worry about, Dorothy's mammogram (if I am reading correctly) do not show any abnormalities. Therefore, my question is: What and where will the do a biopsy? Nancy, I agree with your usual statement that lumps do not belong in a breast and should be removed. But can they remove something that they cannot see? That may be the reason for the wait and see attitude of your doctors Dorothy.

Having said that, I would not wait to see a doctor. I would ask my medical team for a referral to see a specialist... especially if you have tenderness in any area of your breasts. That request will either do one of two things: It will either make your medical team more aware of your concern or it will result I you being seen by a specialist or both.

My thoughts and prayers are with you.
_________________
Jim
Site Administrator and long-term cancer survivor
1992 Astrocytoma grade 2, left motor strip
2005 Recurrence this time said to be an Oligodendoglioma grade 3, same location.
My Story Part 1: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?p=7350
My Story Part 2: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=8029
Blog http://jimhawkinsport.blogspot.com/

Muttsmom · Posted: Fri Aug 03, 2007 3:54 pm Post subject: Re: Lymph Node Question

My mammogram did not detect a lump. I found the lump and the mammogram was clean...... no lumps showed up.

Her mammogram is showing enlarged lymph nodes and she's having pain in that area and the radiologist is discounting it, saying come back in 6 months. They could biopsy the nodes that are bothering her and are showing up as abnormal on the mammogram.
_________________
Nancy
2/14/02 ILC 43 - 5.5 cm 9+/16 nodes
Stage IIIA er/pr+ Her2-
2/02 MRM
FECx6 radsx33
Tamoxifen - Arimidex (chemo induced menopause)
4/03 SM w/bilat. recon.
9/03 expanders removed
5/04 repair reconst. disaster
10/04 Actonel for bone/joint pain from Arimidex
NED - 5 years
3/07 Diabetes
In memory of Kim 12/1/04

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