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Lymph node excision path results

Posted by dsmom @dsmom, Jun 16, 2022

Hi. So I had 3 lymph nodes taken out and flow cytometry said cell specimen viability wasn't large enough to make a determination. They noted small, mature lymphocytes though. Other path report didn't find a malignancy but noted dermatopathic features. Are either of these terms indicative of cancer?
I also have autoimmune diseases, primary Sjogrens. Thanks

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Moderator
Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Jun 19, 2022

Hi @dsmom, welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect, a place to connect with others patients like you. Have you had a chance to speak with your doctor about the results of the lymph node excision? Why did they wish to biopsy the lymph nodes? Were you having symptoms?

REPLY
cctoo. Catherine Crowley | @cctoo | Jun 20, 2022

I am facing lymph node biopsy for enlarged node in armpit ..same side I had breast cancer in..anyone else had this and was it cancer...it hurts sometimes and gets bigger and smaller.have had some mild pain go through breast but nothing was found in breast on ultrasound.

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cctoo. Catherine Crowley | @cctoo | Jun 20, 2022

Did you have biopsy first? Did genera surgeon do surgery?

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dsmom | @dsmom | Jun 20, 2022

Hi. I went to PCP because of a painful lymph node under my arm. I was referred to a Breast Specialist surgeon, and underwent several ultrasounds, a CT scan, a core biopsy and then follow up ultrasounds every three months. The last ultrasound said it appeared resolved, but I could still feel it. My surgeon could feel it too and her exam and palpating it caused me a good deal of pain.She then gave me the option of continuing ultrasounds every three months or excising it to see what was going on. I chose the surgery, as it had been nearly a year of trying to figure it out.
I also have Sjogrens Syndrome, which puts me at a higher risk of lymphomas.
I thought I'd get a definitive answer by having (3) lymph nodes out and examined, but am feeling back to square one because the sample for flow cytometry was considered not viable enough for good diagnostics. I go in tomorrow to speak to the surgeon about all the path results, and I've researched some of the terms myself. But, dermatopathic features is again a non committal term, and when I search small, mature lymphocytes the first things that come up are CLL and SLL. So....here I am again.
I wondered if anyone else has seen those terms on a path report and what their determination was. For example, does that mean we don't see any cancer now, but these changes indicate there may be a malignancy in the future?
Ok, I've written a short book, so thanks for bearing with me. Let me know your experiences.

REPLY
3 replies
marye2 | @marye2 | Jun 21, 2022
In reply to @dsmom "Hi. I went to PCP because of a painful lymph node under my arm. I was..." + (show)
@dsmom

Hi. I went to PCP because of a painful lymph node under my arm. I was referred to a Breast Specialist surgeon, and underwent several ultrasounds, a CT scan, a core biopsy and then follow up ultrasounds every three months. The last ultrasound said it appeared resolved, but I could still feel it. My surgeon could feel it too and her exam and palpating it caused me a good deal of pain.She then gave me the option of continuing ultrasounds every three months or excising it to see what was going on. I chose the surgery, as it had been nearly a year of trying to figure it out.
I also have Sjogrens Syndrome, which puts me at a higher risk of lymphomas.
I thought I'd get a definitive answer by having (3) lymph nodes out and examined, but am feeling back to square one because the sample for flow cytometry was considered not viable enough for good diagnostics. I go in tomorrow to speak to the surgeon about all the path results, and I've researched some of the terms myself. But, dermatopathic features is again a non committal term, and when I search small, mature lymphocytes the first things that come up are CLL and SLL. So....here I am again.
I wondered if anyone else has seen those terms on a path report and what their determination was. For example, does that mean we don't see any cancer now, but these changes indicate there may be a malignancy in the future?
Ok, I've written a short book, so thanks for bearing with me. Let me know your experiences.

Jump to this post

I went through similar testing last year after a CT to check lungs (I have MCTD/scleraderma/sjogrens) found lung nodules. I had a few other tests, including a petscan, which showed one underarm lymph node as "hot". Needle biopsy was inconclusive and took awhile to heal. They sent me to a surgeon for excision, but he couldn't palpate it, so I didn't go further with surgery. (doctors were okay with that decision) I had another mammography which showed it as ok. I periodically get a sore chest and lymph nodes and my massage therapist said to gently rub them, and it happens periodically. Never horrid pain, though. It has been another year, I am on D3 and going for next round of testing in a month or so. They did outrule lymphoma. With the thyroid nodule, they will follow me for two or three years and then I'll be done. It is a mystery, for sure.

REPLY
cctoo. Catherine Crowley | @cctoo | Jun 21, 2022
In reply to @dsmom "Hi. I went to PCP because of a painful lymph node under my arm. I was..." + (show)
@dsmom

Hi. I went to PCP because of a painful lymph node under my arm. I was referred to a Breast Specialist surgeon, and underwent several ultrasounds, a CT scan, a core biopsy and then follow up ultrasounds every three months. The last ultrasound said it appeared resolved, but I could still feel it. My surgeon could feel it too and her exam and palpating it caused me a good deal of pain.She then gave me the option of continuing ultrasounds every three months or excising it to see what was going on. I chose the surgery, as it had been nearly a year of trying to figure it out.
I also have Sjogrens Syndrome, which puts me at a higher risk of lymphomas.
I thought I'd get a definitive answer by having (3) lymph nodes out and examined, but am feeling back to square one because the sample for flow cytometry was considered not viable enough for good diagnostics. I go in tomorrow to speak to the surgeon about all the path results, and I've researched some of the terms myself. But, dermatopathic features is again a non committal term, and when I search small, mature lymphocytes the first things that come up are CLL and SLL. So....here I am again.
I wondered if anyone else has seen those terms on a path report and what their determination was. For example, does that mean we don't see any cancer now, but these changes indicate there may be a malignancy in the future?
Ok, I've written a short book, so thanks for bearing with me. Let me know your experiences.

Jump to this post

I doubt you have any cancer with all the tests...I have painful node enlarged in armpit and having biopsy tomorrow... Why do they always think breast cancer with this...when everything comes up lymphoma when I research it...concerned for this as I have MGUS...but biopsy is for bc!! Was excision so biopsy under general anesthesia? I would prefer excision as mine hurts sometimes

REPLY
Moderator
Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Jul 4, 2022
In reply to @dsmom "Hi. I went to PCP because of a painful lymph node under my arm. I was..." + (show)
@dsmom

Hi. I went to PCP because of a painful lymph node under my arm. I was referred to a Breast Specialist surgeon, and underwent several ultrasounds, a CT scan, a core biopsy and then follow up ultrasounds every three months. The last ultrasound said it appeared resolved, but I could still feel it. My surgeon could feel it too and her exam and palpating it caused me a good deal of pain.She then gave me the option of continuing ultrasounds every three months or excising it to see what was going on. I chose the surgery, as it had been nearly a year of trying to figure it out.
I also have Sjogrens Syndrome, which puts me at a higher risk of lymphomas.
I thought I'd get a definitive answer by having (3) lymph nodes out and examined, but am feeling back to square one because the sample for flow cytometry was considered not viable enough for good diagnostics. I go in tomorrow to speak to the surgeon about all the path results, and I've researched some of the terms myself. But, dermatopathic features is again a non committal term, and when I search small, mature lymphocytes the first things that come up are CLL and SLL. So....here I am again.
I wondered if anyone else has seen those terms on a path report and what their determination was. For example, does that mean we don't see any cancer now, but these changes indicate there may be a malignancy in the future?
Ok, I've written a short book, so thanks for bearing with me. Let me know your experiences.

Jump to this post

Any update @dsmom? How are you doing?

REPLY
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