Can you have breast cancer without having a tumor?
Had an MRI for shoulder/arm pain. MRI showed only a little tendonitis, but it also revealed 6 solid masses. The report says there are "multiple large solid masses in the left axilla" measuring an average of 4cm in diameter. I had a clear mammogram in July, and I feel perfectly fine. I had a biopsy on Friday and I am awaiting results. Was told that breast cancer can appear in the lymph glands in the axilla region without having a primary tumor show up in mammogram. Can you expand on this? Are there other symptoms that I would notice if this is breast cancer. They also said that lymphoma cannot be ruled out.
Hi - I'm sorry for this challenge you're going through. There may be a tumor in your breast that's hidden enough that the mammogram didn't pick it up. Or, as they say, it could be lymphoma. Breast cancer is usually pretty symptom-less; you don't feel tired or sick, you just suddenly discover a lump, either by feeling it, or via mammogram or MRI. I'm not a doctor and can't hazard a guess what those masses might be. I'd say at this point, all you can do is wait for the next test. Best of luck to you- PJH
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yes! you can have breast cancer without having a tumor--most likely the cancer originated in another sight and metastized in various parts of the body
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Inflammatory breast cancer (IBC) often doesn't show on a mammogram because the cancer forms in sheets rather than a solid lump, but I would think that you would be seeing some other breast symptoms such as swelling and/or redness by the time 4 cm masses were in the axilla. Most IBC patients don't have a lump, but the mammogram will often show some changes in density and skin thickness from the previous mammogram. If you have previous mammograms, be sure someone goes back to look for subtle changes that might be one clue in finding IBC. I hope the biopsy brings good news.
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