Expert: Claes-Gustaf Nordquist, M.D. - 2/6/2011

Question
Hello!
I am 32 years old, had a baby 17 months ago. Breast fed him for a year.  I had ultrasounds every year, all good, even had one when I was 6 months pregnant. No breast cancer in my family. When the baby was 8 months old, I felt a lump in my armpit, not in the deep area, about the size of a pee, it feels firm on touch. I went to get an ultrasound of the breasts and axilla, the doctor did not see anything suspicious, just reactive lymph nodes under both armpits. At that time I was still breast feeding. About 2 weeks or so, after I felt it, I got my first period after the delivery. I went to see another doctor, and he also did not see anything serious on the ultrasound, but I was still breast feeding and I am afraid they could have missed something due to presence  of milk. Today, it is 9 months after that, and the lump is still there. I don't feel the change in size or otherwise. The past month, in the second part of my cycle, I felt a little stinging/ aching in that armpit, After my period it dissapeared.This cycle, nothing hurts. Now, I am waiting to get my period, and to go for another check up on the 10th day of my cycle. But, as I was reading on the Internet, I got really scared and now think it is cancer, and I have lost a precious time of 9 months to get cure. The part that it is firm on touch is scaring me, it is not soft like when is inflamed. If that lymph node is enlarged due to a metastasis, would that bee seen on the previous ultrasounds?  Is the fact that it did not grow since then a good thing,or I am unable to feel the change in growth? Or, would I have some others symptoms by now. Waiting is killing me.  Thank you!

Answer
Based on your description I doubt that this is a sign of any cancer. But to be on the safe side I do suggest a fine/thin needle aspiration biopsy of your lump guided either by touch or by ultrasound. If not available where you are you may have to consider a surgical biopsy if you want to be sure of what it is even though that is probably not medically strictly necessary. Good luck!


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