Benign axillary lymphadenopathy

[karla729]

Hello,
On my recent mammo, the results came back, "There is benign axillary lymphadenopathy." Also: Dense breasts- and that -this pattern reduces mammographic sensitivity.  I understand the dense breasts and reduced sensitivity, but I don't understand the benign axillary lymphadenopathy.  Do they mean there is "no" swollen lymph nodes or do they believe that the swollen lymph nodes are beign? I need to know if they "saw" swollen lymph nodes on the mammo.
Does that make sense? I am 49 years old and I am having skin retraction near my nipple.  The mammo said that it basically was normal. thanks for you thoughts and experise. K

[japdip]

It means that lymph nodes are present and enlarged but appear to be benign. Lymph nodes can be enlarged for several reasons ....one being due to some infection somewhere in the body. If your breasts are very dense then perhaps an MRI might be indicated. MRI is often ordered since Mammograms are limited with dense breasts. Hope this has helped clear things up for you.   Regards

[karla729]

Thank you for responding to me concerns!!  Now that all makes sense to me. Question:
Truly, how can a mammogram really know forsure that the nodes are benign? I have an appt. on Thursday to ask for an MRI and show doc the retraction on my right breast. Do you think an ultrasound would really show anything regrarding the nodes? thanks, karla

[japdip]

The only test that can definitely differentiate between a benign & malignant lesion is a biopsy. With the usual testing (mammo, Ultrasound, etc) things can appear more likely to be one than the other and this also depends on the expertise of the Radiologist who is reading the films. The mammogram sees what it there but the interpretation is up to the Radiologist. I think you are very wise to investigate the retraction of the breast tissue as that can be a cause for concern at times. Ultrasound is useful in telling the difference between solid and fluid filled nodules due to the way the waves are reflected. I'll be interested to hear the results of the MRI.  Regards ...

[muffinlump]

I too am interested in this thread, I am 50. was 49 last spring when I noticed enlarged axillary lymph node.  I have always had fibrous type breast tissue but always normal mammos.  the lymph node was ultrasounded twice, had an extra mammo, upper body mri and biopsy of the lymph node which all came back normal.  also bloods normal.
Great news it sounds like, except every day I am aware of this lymph node in my armpit.
Hope it all works out "normal" for you .

[karla729]

Thanks for writing too! I am hoping that what happened to you will happen to me. The only thing is that I do have an indention/retraction on my right breast near the nipple.
I noticed it in 2002 and had a ultrasound at that time, and it was clear. But, the problem is that the indentions are getting deeper (when I raise my arms I see it all) and I am wondering with the enlarged axillary lymph nodes and this indention thing increasing, if maybe something is going on...even though they didn't "see" anything in 2002. Maybe it wasn't big enough then-who knows?  The mammo report did not state if the nodes werre unilaterally or bilaterally. I am going to ask my doc. on Thursday to find out. Especially, since it is my right side that is slowly deforming (indention)...what if the nodes are only swollen on the right side???  I am trying not to worry...but it is hard. I will keep you two in the loop. I do appreciate having someone to talk to about this. Thanks, regards  =)