What Do My Lab Test Reports Indicate?

Posted on Tue, 22 Dec 2015

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Tue, 22 Dec 2015 Answered on

Tue, 12 Jan 2016 Last reviewed on

Question : I had asked a question but wanted clarification. I had breast MRI last year in which they say that I had one lymph node in left axillary that was 12mm. I didn't have multiple enlarged lymph nodes at that time. They did ultrasound in which they stated was normal morphology. This years MRI show bilateral axillary lymph nodes which range from 12 to 15mm in length and they maintain normal morphology. I don't have any cancers, infections or autoimmune disorders, that I know of. I didn't have biopsy of the lymph nodes. I haven't heard from my provider. What would be the recommendation? I do have fibrocystic breast. The report believes that they may be reactive/systemic process.

Answered by Dr. Shailja Puri (15 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Fibrocystic disease is the probable cause of lymph node enlargement.

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for posting your query on HealthcareMagic.

Enlarged lymph nodes in axilaa can be due to infection, inflammation or neoplasm.
As you are suffering from fibrocystic disease, the bilateral enlargement of lymph nodes can be due to inflammatory process.
Fibrocystic disease is a non-neoplastic condition where there is formation of cysts anf fibrosis of breast parenchyma.
The cysts so formed can rupture leading to inflammation of breast parenchyma and clinical features of pain and tenderness in breast.
This inflammatory process can lead to enlargement of lymph nodes in axilla.
The size of the lymph nodes is little over 1 cm and it may be difficult to aspirate them.
Thus, you can observe the lymph nodes for any enlargement in future.
In case they enlarge, you can consult your referring doctor for an aspiration of the lymph nodes to determine their nature.

Thanks and take care
Dr Shailja Puri

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D

Follow up: Dr. Shailja Puri (37 minutes later)

MY breast have been fibrocystic for years, the lymph nodes bilaterally just was noticed on this MRI. The left side was the one that had one lymph node at 12mm last year with cortex of 3mm. Now I have Bilateral lymph node enlargement with some now measuring 15mm. I don't see fibrocystic disease causing this at this stage. Would it now cause this?

Answered by Dr. Shailja Puri (20 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Fibrocystic disease can turn symptomatic long after diagnosis.

Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome again.
It is possible for a long standing fibrocystic disease to cause inflammatory symptoms long after its diagnosis.
As I mentioned that rupture of cysts in fibrocystic disease can cause inflammation, however, no inflammatory response occurs as long as cysts are intact.
In case any suspicious lesion would have been present in breast, it would have shown on MRI.
Monitoring of the lymph nodes is required.
If the lymph nodes remain at the same size, there is nothing to worry.
An enlargement calls for attention.

Thanks and take care
Dr Shailja Puri

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D