NHL Survivor here but since treatments breasts are too sore for mammograms, anyone else? Found a ly

bluerose

I have been unable to have mammograms since I first was diagnosed with NHL 23 years ago. Went through regular chemo and radiation for the lymphoma and then 2 years later a bone marrow transplant and total body radiation and since that first mammogram before the trist treatments have only been able to have breast ultrasounds.

I went a couple of weeks ago for my breast ultrasound and they found a lymph node in my right breast which is apparently not a regular thing - lymph nodes in the breast itself. However it does happen now and then and doesn't mean anything negative so they said.

First off has anyone been told they have a lymph node in the breast and secondly does anyone have breasts (especially around the nipples) that is too excrutiatingly painful to have mammograms. I have a pacemaker from chemo damage to the heart so I can't have MRI's either.

Any input? Thanks in advance.

Blessings,

Bluerose

Lynn Smith

I know nothing about
I know nothing about lymph nodes in the breast.Only under the arm. You have had a rough time with the breast problem,lymphoma etc.You are unable to have so many tests that can tell more.I've had testing lately and wasn't happy with another CT scan(year later) so finally just had a KUB on my kidneys etc. Enough of radiation for a while for me.Minimal radiation with a KUB is all I would let them do.

If you aren't sure about breast nodes NOT being cancer you might seek a second opinion. I wasn't sure about my treatment plan.I talked it over with my family doctor and the first thing she said "you can go for a SECOND OPINION". I decided to stay with my oncologist and breast surgeon's diagnosis and treatment plan.

My family doctor did assure me that other patients of hers are doing fine after many years of being a survivor.

Lynn Smith

Rague

Not sure what you're asking
Not sure what you're asking really - the lymphatic system runs throughout the entire body.

bluerose

Rague said:

Not sure what you're asking
Not sure what you're asking really - the lymphatic system runs throughout the entire body.

Yes but ...
Yes I had lymphoma so know about the lymph nodes but the breast cancer specialist told me that lymph nodes are not common in the breasts but occassionally it does happen. I was just asking if any of the breast cancer patients were ever told that they had nodes in their breasts and if that was some kind of indication of watching for cancers.

Also I was asking if after any kind of radiation or chemotherapy anyone here has found it impossible to have mammograms because of excrutiating pains in the breast from treatments of either radiation or chemo or both?

bluerose

Lynn Smith said:

I know nothing about
I know nothing about lymph nodes in the breast.Only under the arm. You have had a rough time with the breast problem,lymphoma etc.You are unable to have so many tests that can tell more.I've had testing lately and wasn't happy with another CT scan(year later) so finally just had a KUB on my kidneys etc. Enough of radiation for a while for me.Minimal radiation with a KUB is all I would let them do.

If you aren't sure about breast nodes NOT being cancer you might seek a second opinion. I wasn't sure about my treatment plan.I talked it over with my family doctor and the first thing she said "you can go for a SECOND OPINION". I decided to stay with my oncologist and breast surgeon's diagnosis and treatment plan.

My family doctor did assure me that other patients of hers are doing fine after many years of being a survivor.

Lynn Smith

Thanks Lynn
Thanks for your input. I am going to run this by my family doctor again and might ask for an aspiration if they are the least bit uncertain since I can't do MRI's and have been radiated like you wouldnt believe over 23 years, 3 of those years with treatments way back in the early 90ties when they didn't thing CT's had radiation, sheeesh. Had about a million CT's for everything back then.

Anywho they didn't know I'm sure and today are much wiser about it all so that's good for those coming along now.

I will also talk to my gyne/onc and see what he has to say too when I see him next.

All the best.

Bluerose

faith618

other than mammograms...
IF YOU GO ONLINE YOU CAN GOOGLE CRT2000. IT IS A MEDICAL DEVICE THAT IS US FDA AND CE APPROVED. NO RADIATION!

Christmas Girl

bluerose said:

Yes but ...
Yes I had lymphoma so know about the lymph nodes but the breast cancer specialist told me that lymph nodes are not common in the breasts but occassionally it does happen. I was just asking if any of the breast cancer patients were ever told that they had nodes in their breasts and if that was some kind of indication of watching for cancers.

Also I was asking if after any kind of radiation or chemotherapy anyone here has found it impossible to have mammograms because of excrutiating pains in the breast from treatments of either radiation or chemo or both?

I am confused, bluerose...
And certainly don't mean to make things any more difficult for you - it's all bad enough, already. However, with that being stated...

I am very confused by "lymph nodes are not common in the breasts" - it's actually quite the opposite. Female breasts are normally FULL of lymph nodes - which is why breast milk for infants is loaded with antibodies. My BC surgery was lumpectomy - along with the tumor, many lymph nodes (though certainly not all) were removed from both the breast and armpit area. Perhaps you misunderstood your doctor?

Swollen/enlarged lymph nodes, as seen via imaging tests, can indicate the presence of a virus or bacterial infection (the immune system hard at work). Or, can be an indication of cancer - for which a biopsy is needed.

With best wishes, and...

Kind regards, Susan