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What Causes Enlarged Lymph Nodes In Left Armpit?
Question: I have 2 enlarged lymph nodes in my left armpit that are malignant.(Found with biopsy) Mammogram and PET/SCAN of breasts are completely normal. Can I still have breast cancer? I cannot see or feel any lumps and I have no pain. Enlarged lymph nodes were found by accident during a CT scan of chest.
Brief Answer:
Considerations
Detailed Answer:
hello and thanks for sending the question.
The first assumption I making here is that the biopsy was convincing for pathologic profile consistent with breast cancer. if this is the case it might be reasonable to further evaluate for a primary malignancy within the breast.
Sometimes a primary malignancy XXXXXXX regress with remaining active cancer cells manifesting in the form of a swollen lymph node. Your doctor could consider additional testing such as an MRI of the breast or might consider referring you toA breast surgeon for consideration of mastectomy.
Lastly the oncologist may consider the indication for systemic chemotherapy to help further improve the odds that the Cancer is eliminated. if the biopsy showed positive estrogen or progesterone receptors then you would be a candidate to receive hormone related medication such as Arimidex.
I am confident that your oncologist will help put together a comprehensive plan of action for you.
sincerely,
Dr Galamaga
Considerations
Detailed Answer:
hello and thanks for sending the question.
The first assumption I making here is that the biopsy was convincing for pathologic profile consistent with breast cancer. if this is the case it might be reasonable to further evaluate for a primary malignancy within the breast.
Sometimes a primary malignancy XXXXXXX regress with remaining active cancer cells manifesting in the form of a swollen lymph node. Your doctor could consider additional testing such as an MRI of the breast or might consider referring you toA breast surgeon for consideration of mastectomy.
Lastly the oncologist may consider the indication for systemic chemotherapy to help further improve the odds that the Cancer is eliminated. if the biopsy showed positive estrogen or progesterone receptors then you would be a candidate to receive hormone related medication such as Arimidex.
I am confident that your oncologist will help put together a comprehensive plan of action for you.
sincerely,
Dr Galamaga
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you doctor for your answer. Here is the pathology report that is, of course, very confusing to me: Sections show cores of lymph node with metastatic carcinoma. The carcinoma is arranged in nests with some gland formation and focal suggestion of a papillary pattern. A PAX8 stain for a GYN primary is negative. ER and PR stains are both negative with positive external controls. Still, the appearance would be most consistent with a ductal breast primary. Can you explain this to me in easier to understand language? It sounds like the pathologist is not certain. Thank you so much for any help you can give me. Also, the node consists of five fibrofatty cores. The largest core measures 1.4 cm in length and 0.2 cm in diameter. Thank you again.
Brief Answer:
Followup
Detailed Answer:
Hello again,
What the pathologist is saying here is basically that the tissue looks like breast cancer under the microscope. Some breast cancers have estrogen and progesterone receptors on the cells but this is not the case in your biopsy. I suspect they may do additional testing for Her2neu protein which can sometimes be found in breast tissue.
Your oncologist may suggest you see a breast surgeon to consider surgical options. Also, he might consider an MRI, CT scan or PET scan to see if there are any other suspicious areas present within your body.
I am sure this is a very stressful situation for you but once you see the oncologist I am hopeful that he or she will help navigate you through this so you feel more confident and in control of what is going on.
Sincerely,
Dr. Galamaga
Followup
Detailed Answer:
Hello again,
What the pathologist is saying here is basically that the tissue looks like breast cancer under the microscope. Some breast cancers have estrogen and progesterone receptors on the cells but this is not the case in your biopsy. I suspect they may do additional testing for Her2neu protein which can sometimes be found in breast tissue.
Your oncologist may suggest you see a breast surgeon to consider surgical options. Also, he might consider an MRI, CT scan or PET scan to see if there are any other suspicious areas present within your body.
I am sure this is a very stressful situation for you but once you see the oncologist I am hopeful that he or she will help navigate you through this so you feel more confident and in control of what is going on.
Sincerely,
Dr. Galamaga
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you so much for your answer Dr. XXXXXXX ..you are beginning to make me feel a little better. I have had a CT scan and a PET scan of my entire torso, including both breasts of course, and everything is entirely normal. Can there possibly be such a thing as a false positive reading in a tissue biopsy of the enlarged lymph node? Thank you again.
Brief Answer:
Followup
Detailed Answer:
A false positive would seem unlikely.
You could request a second opinion and have a different pathologist evaluate the specimen to obtain consensus. It would again seem unlikely to be falsely positive but a second opinion is not unreasonable in this setting.
Sincerely,
Dr. Galamaga
Followup
Detailed Answer:
A false positive would seem unlikely.
You could request a second opinion and have a different pathologist evaluate the specimen to obtain consensus. It would again seem unlikely to be falsely positive but a second opinion is not unreasonable in this setting.
Sincerely,
Dr. Galamaga
Note: For further queries related to kidney problems Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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