Full lymph node clearance or radiotherapy

I also have no suspicious or enlarged nodes on my mri scan, ultrasound and CT scan! 

Hi Kay,

I was 35 when I had my bc 5 years ago. It was a very similar situation - stage 2a, 11mm lump and 2 out of 3 sentinel nodes taken out were cancerous with macro metastases of 2 & 12mm.

I live in France, so maybe the treatment here is different, but I was offered something in the middle of your options! I had 5 months of chemo followed by another operation to remove 4 axillary nodes to check for signs of cancer, followed by 27 sessions of radiotherapy. It seemed a good option to take only a few more nodes rather than all of them to reduce lymphodemia risk, and it also gave me good peace of mind knowing for sure that there wasn't any cancer cells remaining after chemo (the reincision results came back clear). Could it be worth asking you doctor if they can take less nodes out?

It's such a hard thing to have to make a choice like that. I guess you have to weigh up what carries the bigger risks for you and hopefully that will make the decision for you! Wishing you the best of luck xx

Hi, I'm 47yo and was diagnosed with stage2 IDC this year.I've chosen radio as have seen lymphoedema in the past ( working in healthcare). It wasn't bad at all and arm is OK now. Good luck!

Hello Kay

How are things with you today?

Wondered what you decided on in the end as I am in this exact position now 

Stage 2, positive lymph node, macro after mastectomy and been given the option of full clearance or radiotherapy.

My surgeon wants to do the clearance just incase but like you I am worried about lymphadeema plus I really don't want further surgery.

There is some ongoing studies that show the same outcomes so I am just wondering what you decided really?

I have an appointment tomorrow to make up my mind 

Hello! I’m ok thanks - I’m half way through chemo now so can’t wait for that to be over and done with. So sorry you are also going through this journey! I decided to get radiotherapy and will start that after chemo. The surgeon said the survival outcomes are the same with both clearance and radiation and the risk of lymphedema is just too high and don’t want to have that for the rest of my life so will stick to radiotherapy. He also said in a few years to come that they won’t be doing clearances anymore and radiotherapy only will be offered as it works just as well if that helps  

Hello  

I am so pleased you decided on that and after a worrying week and hours of research I have also made the same decision.

I have had a double mastectomy 5 weeks ago, have just about got full movement back and I was thinking omg more surgery.

You have made the right decsion I am sure and I, like you just want this done and dusted so I can start living fully again !!

How is the chemo going ?

Hope it is not making you too poorly

I will be starting mine soon but will find out more tomorrow 

Please keep in touch and thank you so much for replying