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Micro-metastasis in sentinel node question

Meanegg
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  • 44 subscribers
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Hi,  I would be grateful if you could give me a little more current information on why micro-metastasis in the sentinel node is  considered negative.  When I had my surgery only the sentinel node was taken and this was found to have micro-metastasis.  I was told that this is treated as a negative node and doesn’t impact my outcome significantly.  I was also told that I didn’t need axilliary clearance or radio on the other nodes (I am having adjuvant chemo & was told that the reason for this was due to my cancer being a high grade & >2cm )

My question is how do you know if cancer cells are only on one node and has not spread to the other nodes if only the sentinel node was removed in the first instance.  Why  is it considered negative if there are cancer cells in it?  I have tried Googling but have found very conflicting information and am really anxious that I could have cancer in my other nodes. I feel silly raising this again at my appointment as I know these people are experts and I need to trust what they say but it is playing in my mind and making me very anxious . 

Thanks very much

  • Hi Meanegg

    Thanks for getting in touch with us and welcome to the online community. My name’s Simon and I’m one of the Cancer Information Nurses on the Macmillan Support Line.

    First of all, I would want to reassure you that this is good news that they are able to avoid radiotherapy or an axillary lymph node clearance.

    Micro metastases are defined as being less than 2 millimetres in size. If only isolated cells are found in the sentinel node biopsy, there is no evidence that your prognosis is any worse than for a person without micro metastases and is often referred to as being a ‘negative node’.

    With a low risk identified from the results of your sentinel lymph node biopsy, both an axillary lymph node clearance and radiotherapy would be less likely to be recommended as the benefits may not outweigh the potential side-effects such as lymphoedema. Also, in your individual case, you are going to be having adjuvant chemotherapy. This chemotherapy will treat any cancer cells remaining in the body, including any micro metastases that may remain in the lymph nodes. This in turn takes away the need for radiotherapy or further lymph node surgery for yourself.

    It is always difficult to take in all the information you are given by your treatment team during appointments. I can assure you that they would not mind you asking further questions to help settle your mind on the reasons for your proposed treatment. If you have a breast care nurse or a clinical nurse specialist, they would be happy to speak with you about the treatment decisions.

     

    I hope this information is of some help.

    Best wishes

    Simon Morgan-Jones:  Cancer Information Nurse Specialist

    You can also speak with the Macmillan Support Line team of experts. Phone free on 0808 808 0000 (7 days a week, 8am-8pm) or send us an email.

    Ref/SMJ/ AM

  • in reply to Simon - Macmillan

    Thanks so much for answering so quickly - I am a worrier and your response has helped. 

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