Axillary lymph nodes
Axillary lymph nodes Hi
Not quite sure where to post this so starting here…finished my treatment for BC four years ago - in my right breast, grade 3, ductal & lobular & widespread DCIS. Had mastectomy, reconstruction, chemo & radio.
Had my annual mammogram last May, which I have on my left breast and lymph nodes. Results all fine.
About September time I felt a large lump under my left arm, had it checked and they said it’s just a normal lymph node.
But now I have started to get some strange aches in that arm, and I often wake up at night with it gone all pins & needles. Now I have felt a smaller hard lump deeper in my armpit.
I can’t find any particular lump in my breast.
My question is, is it possible to get a cancerous lump under my arm without any signs of it in my breast?
Many thanks
J x
Dear Needles Sorry to read that you are having concerns about a lump you have found in your armpit. I am sure you will receive helpful information and support from the other forum users. In addition, you may find it helpful to discuss your concerns with the staff on our helpline who will be able to offer you further information and support. The helpline number is 0808 800 6000 and is open Monday to Friday 9am-5pm and Saturday 9am-2pm.
Kind regards
BCC Host
Hi Jen,
I think you know the sort of reply you are going to get here! You will need to get the lumps checked out - preferably by the Breast Care Unit you attend - do you still have contact and checkups with them? Of course there is always the possibility that it is ‘nothing to worry about’, but if you are human 
you are going to worry. It is possible to get a cancerous lump under your arm without you being able to detect anything in your breast so you cant afford to waste time. None of us want to travel this road a second time and thru the anxieties you know we will all be here for you. So have courage, ,pick up the phone and let someone else decide if you need to be concerned.
lol Dawnhc
J get on the phone NOW to your Breast care Nurse- tell her all about it and she will get it checked.
Yes indeed you can get axillary probs with breast looking innocent. ANYTHING is poss with BC. I did and breast turned out to be a bit naughty on investigation- surgeon sorted it and little harm done because I noticed and got it checked early.
Hope yours turns out OK- good or bad the sooner you know not to worry or get treatment the better, best wishes, dilly
axillary lumps… Hi needles,
Yes - it is possible to get lymph nodes show up as lumps without any sign of breast changes. I was diagnosed one year ago after finding a lump at the top underside of my arm near to the axilla. No lumps in my breast could be felt by me or by my doctor - in fact my GP treated me for muscular problems and then infection for 2 months before I was sent for BC screening! I went on to have tests which showed nearly 3 cm tumour very deep within the breast - had mastectomy and lymph node clearance with 13 out of 15 nodes positive. Everybody is different and I’m not saying you will have the same result - but please don’t wait - ask for further checks.
Good luck, xx
Thanks to you kind ladies who replied - you’re right I did know what you’d say but somehow I just needed to be told. Really don’t want to go down that road again and I guess that’s why I’ve hesitated.
I also think that sometimes I feel like a nuisance to the doctors, and am wasting their time if it turns out to be nothing. Oh that damned Catholic upbringing and the Guilt!!
I’ll let you know what happens.
Thanks again
Jen xx
Do please get this checked out asap. I was diagnosed with invasive ductal carcinoma in 2005 and the only symptom was enlarged lymph node in armpit. I had a 1.4 cm tumour in left breast but neither I or consultant could feel it and it didn’t even show on mammogram. They only managed to detect it by ultrasound scan. However, it turned out to be aggresive and went on to have chemo, lumpectomy and rads. So far, I am doing fine. I hope you will have good news but nevertheless, don’t delay! Good luck.
Thanks Sophie, do you mind if I ask a fairly personal question, I am fairly small breasted so I would be surprised not to feel a lump, even of 1.4cm. Was your lump able to hide under a larger breast??!
Hope you don’t mind the question
Thanks
Jen x
Hi Jen I replied earlier within this thread and hope you don’t mind me jumping in on your question to Sophie.
As I mentioned before, neither doctors nor me could feel the lump in my breast - the alert was given by the enlarged lymph node in the arm. I am not large-breasted - but the lump was deep and close to the inner chest wall. Sometimes it just isn’t possible to feel it or even show up on a mammogram - mine was seen only on ultrasound.
Hope this helps reassure you and encourages you to investigate any suspicious findings - no matter what. Always get it checked!
best wishes, xx
Hello Needles Sorry for the delay in replying but haven’t been on here for a few days. Yes, my lump was able to hide in my 38C size breasts. I couldn’t say how deep it was though, and no, I don’t mind you asking.