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Why would I have an enlarged lymph node in my breast?

By Anonymous April 16, 2009 - 6:21am
 
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I am a 30 y.o. female with no family history of breast cancer. I found a lump in my right breast a short while ago. Over the next few weeks I had 2 sets of mammograms and an ultrasound done. I called my gyn daily to get the results of the tests, and when they finally came in the FNP returned my call. She stated that it was benign, and when I questioned her further she said it was an enlarged lymph node. Not being a pushy person, and I didn't really have any questions prepared for this scenario I let it go and hung up. Now I can't find any info online for why I would have an enlarged lymph node in my breast. From what I'm finding it must not be a common place, because I have yet to find anything.

So, my question is...Is this something that should be further tested? It is still the same size as when I found it about a month and a half ago. The only other symptom I am having is that occasionally my breast will ache slightly. It's usually only for a few seconds and it quits. It occurs maybe 1-2 times a day.

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EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous

exactly the same scenario for me too.But i did ask what my lump was caused by. I was told we have lymph nodes particularly in our underarm area, and infection etc can cause the nodes to swell whilst they fight infection. Sometimes the odd node may not reduce back to its former size. It is nothing to worry about and ibruprofen can be taken for the discomfort. Our boobs are very much linked to our time of the month so the discomfort can come and go with our cycle. go back to your doctor if only for your peace of mind, dont worry unduly sweetie, we are BOTH fine xx

November 19, 2009 - 5:37am
(reply to Anonymous)

Thanks for updating us! It is important to have any type of lymph node swelling evaluated, and as you said...most of the time it is our bodies fighting off an infection and nothing to worry about.

thanks!

November 19, 2009 - 2:54pm
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous

I also have a swollen lymph node in my left breast. I've had it for the past 7 months....two mammograms and 2 sonograms....I was told it's size hasn't changed and no need to worry many women get them. I do have a blocked hair follicle in my left armpit so i'm thinking it might be the cause...I see my GYN on friday.

October 24, 2009 - 6:45pm
(reply to Anonymous)

Anon, thank you so much for posting this information! It's good to know that there's nothing to worry about, but it's too bad you've had to put up with it for 7 months. Will you come back and update us after your appointment on Friday?

October 26, 2009 - 9:05am
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous

This is the anonymous girl who was going to the surgeon on thursday. So I went and he agreed with the Radiologist that it is indeed an lymph node. There is nothing abnormal looking about it. He also indicated that the location of the lymph node is not even considered part of the breast tissue. He thinks the reason i'm able to feel it so well is b/c i'm pretty petite and there's not much meat on my bones in that area.........just skin and rib cage! He didn't feel it was necessary to even biopsy or remove at this time. The size of the lymph node did not concern him. He also let me know that there is no reason to continue with mammograms b/c my breast tissue is so dense. I would feel something in my breast before it showed up on a mammogram. Mammograms work better as you get older and the breast tissue becomes less dense. So I know it's probably frustrating for any of you who have been told to continue with ultrasounds, but it sounds like it's a good way to go. The ultrasounds can track whether or not the lump is growing and how fast. Hope this helps some of you out there!

October 10, 2009 - 4:49am
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous

I also have a lump in my breast that they are saying is most likely a lymph node. I have felt it there for 3 years now but it has gotten slightly larger. I am going to see a surgeon next week to discuss further. I haven't seen many answers to these questions online in regards to enlarged lymph nodes in the breast. I will give an update next week.

October 1, 2009 - 4:29pm
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous (reply to Anonymous)

Thanks for replying. I had returned to my GYN for my annual on Tuesday of this week, and he suggested that I visit a surgeon to see if there is a need for a biopsy. Saw the surgeon today and he said that we could either go ahead and take it out and send for biopsy, or get another ultrasound to compare with the previous one and go from there. I haven't been able to find anything online regarding an enlarged lymph nodes in the breast. The only thing I could find shows placement of lymph nodes in the body, and yes there are nodes where my lump is. Guess I feel that everyone should be as concerned as I am, and I didn't feel that the radiologist who read my results was. Luckily my GYN & the surgeon I saw seem to want to get to the bottom of things. Good luck!

October 1, 2009 - 6:24pm
(reply to Anonymous)

Anon,

I'm with you! It's so important to be able to get information that's complete as possible whenever it comes to something like this. Did you decide to do a biopsy or another ultrasound?

October 2, 2009 - 9:19am
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous (reply to Diane Porter)

We decided to do the ultrasound and see if there has been any change in the last 6 months, then decide from there. I would probably be more at ease with a biopsy, but hate to go there if there's no need. We'll see what the repeat ultrasound reveals...

October 2, 2009 - 6:38pm
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous (reply to Anonymous)

Hi all..........this is the other anonymous writer...........I myself have decided to skip the whole "waiting 6 months for another ultrasound" since I initially discovered the lump 3 years ago. I agree that it is very frustrating to not be able to find any information on the internet. So since i saw this posting, I thought it would be important to give any readers an update as I continue my journey with the surgeon towards biopsy or removal of the lump. Talk to you all soon!

October 3, 2009 - 4:49am
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