Looking for some info regarding axillary node mets

mkwalters88

Hello everyone, hope all is well. This isn't my usual discussion board but I felt my question/concern would have the most relevance and best chance of getting some information/feedback here. I will try and be brief with this. In January I had a 3.0 cm lymph node biopsied and came back kerratizing squamous cell carcinoma. I had noticed the lymphnode in August of 2016 but couldn't get into a doctor until my insurance kicked on in January, we are  almost halfway through May. My initial CT/PET showed 3 intensely avid lymph nodes and some other non specific uptake areas, and a small 3mm lung nodule with no uptake (too small for pet?) anyways long story short 2 panedoscopies and bilateral tonsillectomy to finally arrive at being diagnosed with CUP cancer (carcinoma unknown primary) I'm having a big operation on my neck on the 17th but last week I noticed a small but rock hard left axillary ode under my left armpit. It's mobile unlike the one in my neck that's fixed to some soft tissue due to ECS. My question is has anyone on the forum experienced axillary mets from SCC?  If so did you recall noticing a small lump that gradually grew or was it "just there one day"? I'm sorry for asking this here, the cancer center I'm at is 45 min away and I'm a week away from starting trimodal therapy (surgery followed by concurrent chemo/radiatio) my neck stage is N2c and my concern with all of this is mets to axillary nodes on my situation is considered distant spread which would change my treatment intent from curative to palliative. The node is about the size of a small marble and it's hard/firm to touch and noticed it inceditally drying off after a shower. I'm always self conscious of being an annoyance to doctors and was hoping to get some insight/advice before I call the oncologist back. Thank you so much for anyone who took time to read and answer this. Keep on fighting and stay strong everyone!