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Enlarged lymph node 3 months after completion of treatment
Had HR+ HER2- lumpectomy on 6 mm IDC with sentinel node biopsy on 2 nodes in January 2026. Oncogene score of 0 and negative for all genetic mutations. Both margins (breast and armpit) came back clear. I developed a seroma in the armpit and had it drained once before it finally resolved in late February. Had 5 treatments of targeted radiation which was completed in mid March and started tamoxifen in April.
Last week I got results of an annual cardiac screening CT chest scan which showed an enlarged lymph node in the sentinel /armpit. My breast surgeon wants an ultrasound. Now I read that there is a 5-10 % false negative statistic for sentinel node biopsies with BC.
Has anyone had a false negative on sentinel node area and if so, what was your experience?
My surgeon said I “shouldn’t lose sleep” over this but that ship sailed the minute I heard ‘more test(s)’ needed. If ultrasound is suspicious I’ll need a biopsy and we’re off to the races. . . . again.
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I had an enlarged Level 1 Axial lymph node show up on the 6 month MRI. I was told they would follow up with a scan in 6 months. Oh my gosh! Talk about anxiety!
I am able to see the actual scans through a Phillips radiology viewer that the cancer center makes available through MyChart. So I could see the node. It was 2-3x the size of the other lymph nodes and flaring white! But it did have the cashew shape that is an indication it is still working and healthy - so I just waited. I was taking Tamoxifen so I hoped if there were any stray cancer cells that it would reduce the chance of growth.
It stayed large for a couple of years. I’m 3.5 yrs out now, and no issues. It is still easy to locate on the scan but is now only slightly larger than the others.
@triciaot Thank you SO much for taking the time to respond to my post.
I can’t believe you had to wait 6 months for a follow up scan. Was that an ultrasound? Also helpful to know it stayed large for a few years. Did you have a lymph node biopsy with your surgery?
I’m glad you’re doing well 3 1/2 years out. ♥️
@susanmfc You got me curious on how many scans I’ve had. Here’s the list, and attached are some images.
MG 4/22 initial and second MG & US at local hospital, they thought the lesion was a folded lymph node, said to return in 6 months but my regular doctor suggested to go see specialist, then had biopsy with US 6/22.
Switched to cancer center 3 1/2 hrs away, and had
MG & MRI & US 6/22.
US and surgery 8/22
Radiation 10/22
MG 4/23, MRI 10/23, MG & MRI 4/24
I had second surgery 11/24 to reduce size of right breast. Breasts were lg before bc surgery, both were reduced in size but right was bigger (they expected whole breast radiation to shrink it, but I had partial breast radiation for only 5 sessions) They opened existing suture lines and took out some at lower breast.
MG 4/25
I asked about having another MRI since the original MG pretty much missed defining the lesion and I was concerned if I only had mammograms they wouldn’t see the type lesion I seem to grow.
MRI 8/25, MG & US & MRI 5/26
Attached MRI images: original DCIS 16 mm with no big lymph node. Then the other images show the enlarged 7.7 mm Axillary 1 lymph node (bright cashew shaped image on left side of image which is really right breast.) The axillary 1 nodes are the first to drain the breasts, and the sentinel node is often an axillary 1 node. Because my biopsy identified the DCIS as non invasive they did not test for the sentinel node.
Check dates on upper left corner of photos to see progression. It was difficult to get them uploaded in order.
Hmmm, its still large - I hadn’t looked at the recent scan detail and the report no longer mentions it, so at this point its stable and no longer a concern.
I only get any vaccinations in the left arm so that there is no confusion that the lg lymph node is just inflamed because of a shot.
Once again my post is waaay too long, sorry.
Thank you. I appreciate the share. I wish you all the best going forward. ♥️