Concernef

[Rjbp1950]

i had yearly mammogram June 11 was about a month late because of wreck , recalled July 2 with concerns of finding lymph node they said 4 inches but think they meant 4 cm , my concern is my sister passed away from breast cancer metastasis , is their a blood test that can show if cancer cells present

[Cllcanada Top Poster CURE Hero]

Welcome...

They can do a biopsy, to see what is involved. Have they run a BRCA test?

~chris

[MsLockYourPosts Passed Volunteer]

Did they do an ultrasound to determine whether they are looking at a solid tumor, a cyst, or a lymph node? That would be step two. Step three would be a biopsy if there is any question about what they are seeing.

Many women with CLL get call backs when their mammogram shows enlarged lymph nodes, because the person doing the reading is not familiar with CLL. I got call backs twice in the past for what turned out to be cysts. My doctors insisted on having them drained so that they wouldn't hide anything that might be behind them (you can't see through fluid filled areas like cysts).

I did eventually end up with breast cancer, which I found myself. Those self exams are as important, if not more so, than having your mammogram "on time" !!!!

That was 10 years ago and all is good now - 2 lumpectomies and radiation. I made the mistake of not insisting on a breast surgeon and breast specialist the first time. The see a specialist advice applies to all cancers, not just CLL!

If the report is incorrect (I'm sure you would have been very aware of 4 inches) I would insist on a second read when you go back, but try to be positive until your call back date. There is a very good chance, especially if your CLL presents in the lymph nodes, that this is just another one. There is also a good chance that it is just a cyst.

Let us know what your next appointment shows. I'm hoping for one of the two above for you!

[the2ds]

The way I was diagnosed with CLL was a breast scan detecting a 'cyst' that turned out to be a lymph node. Always worth following it up and wish you the best of luck.

[PaulaRichmond]

I was diagnosed for CLL/SLL from my mammogram, then ultrasound and then ultrasound biosopsy. Enlarged and thickened lymph nodes in the arm pit. Then I have in the neck on each side. I have no other symptoms. Good luck.

[livinglifewell in reply to PaulaRichmond]

me too.

[bbreeland]

It is likely a lymph node from your Cll- same thing happened to me

[livinglifewell]

I found a lump in my breast once (after my CLL/SLL diagnosis) and via biopsy guided by ultrasound at the mammography center it was found to be the lymphoma. I get followed very closely (every six months) to check for breast cancer. Yes, we are at a higher risk with our CLL/SLL, so better to be safe than sorry. The blood test used as a marker for breast cancer is a later marker to follow disease activity and would not be very relevant in early diagnosis. That's my opinion anyway.