Disclaimer

Although we take care to ensure accuracy, Macmillan Cancer Support does not accept liability for the information and materials provided or referenced in Ask an Expert or for any errors or omissions in them, or for third-party information or services such as other websites we may link to. The information and materials provided or referenced in Ask an Expert are for information purposes only and are not intended to be legal, financial or medical advice or opinions. If you need more details on your rights, please contact a financial, legal or other appropriate adviser.

We recommend that you consult your doctor if you are concerned about your health. Any You should not rely on any information and materials provided or referenced in Ask an Expert including by our Experts as they are not a replacement for advice, diagnosis or treatment from your medical team, and our Experts cannot provide a second opinion to that of your medical team.

Your question can be read by others – so please don't post your contact details or any other information that could personally identify you. Please read our Terms and Conditions and Community Guidelines for more details.

Second lumpectomy and armpit lymph node removal

Shel1007
  • 1 reply
  • 44 subscribers
  • 377 views

Hi

i had second surgery on 27/12 to remove additional breast tissue ( clear margins were close)and remaining lymph nodes in my arm due to diagnosis of invasive lobular breast cancer.

I have just had a telephone call confirming the additional lymph nodes were all clear but the additional breast tissue showed some cells - I can’t recall the words used but I think it meant that Shrugre were some small cells or markers in the further tissue removed. I have been told the good news is the lymph nodes were clear but I don’t know if this now means I should ask for a mastectomy - have another lumpectomy or start treatment and then possibly more surgery - can you help me understand this ? Thank you 

  • Hi Shel1007

    Thanks for getting in touch and welcome to the online community. My name is Kathryn and I’m one of the Macmillan cancer information nurses.

    I’m sorry to hear about your diagnosis of Invasive lobular breast cancer. As your team said it is good that they have not found cancer cells in your lymph nodes but the discovery of some cells in the additional tissue that they have taken will mean that further treatment will be needed.

    It is most likely that following a discussion by the multidisciplinary team (MDT) you will be asked to make a treatment decision. Whether this is to have further surgery to ensure there are clear margins or whether they will offer chemotherapy or radiotherapy will be based on all the information that the team have. As we don’t have access to medical records it’s difficult to know what the options will be.

    I would suggest that you get in contact with your breast care nurse so that you can discuss the information you were given and what your likely options are. You may find these questions helpful in guiding your conversation.

    I hope this information helps. Please feel free to get back in touch if you want more information or support.

    Best wishes,

    Kathryn

    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: KR/Lrob

Help us do whatever it takes, because we’ve never been needed more.

© Macmillan Cancer Support 2025 © Macmillan Cancer Support, registered charity in England and Wales (261017), Scotland (SC039907) and the Isle of Man (604). Also operating in Northern Ireland. A company limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales company number 2400969. Isle of Man company number 4694F. Registered office: 3rd Floor, Bronze Building, The Forge, 105 Sumner Street, London, SE1 9HZ. VAT no: 668265007