New here and a couple of questions

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Hello I am new to posting on this site but have been lurking since my diagnosis a few weeks ago. I've managed to find the answers to most of my questions, thanks to other people posting on here. However, I am confused about a couple of issues. I had a lumpectomy and Sentinel Node Biopsy 2 weeks ago and was initially told that it was a grade 1 ER + and I wouldn't need any radiotherapy following surgery if the cancer had not spread to the lymph nodes. Unfortunately it has spread to the lymph nodes and my plan has now gone from no radiotherapy following surgery, to radiotherapy and possibly chemotherapy dependant on the results on the oncotype test. So my first question is: if I am to have chemotherapy which I understand will eradicate the cancer, then why do I need radiotherapy as well? My second question is: where I had the SN Biopsy I now have a sore to touch round swelling which wasn't there before surgery. Has anyone else had this?

Grogg over 4 years ago

Hello and welcome but sorry you find yourself here. I didn't require Chemo but I had radiotherapy after surgery which wasn't strictly necessary but improves the odds of no recurrence. You can only have RT to the breast once, so if you do get a recurrence it will affect treatment plan. I decided to go with my surgeon's opinion of having RT.

If you have any concerns re swelling if it can wait until tomorrow ring your Breast Care nurse and she will advise. .

Fluffyhead over 4 years ago in reply to Grogg

Thanks Grogg for your reply x

Beatthebreast over 4 years ago

I had hormone positive BC and at first I was told lumpectomy and radiotherapy and then after I had my MRI scan, I was told they wanted to give me chemo to shrink it as it was on my chest wall and they weren't confident of clear margins.

With each piece of new info, they give you the best possible treatment plan tailored to your specific cancer.

As I understand it, radiotherapy is given as routine for anyone under 70 who has had a lumpectomy.

I had chemo, then lumpectomy, then radiotherapy and now 5 years of hormone therapy.

Right at the beginning they told me they were going to throw everything at me because of my age (I'm mid 40s). I was so grateful for that and took everything they gave me.

As for the swelling, my underarm was quite tight and felt weird for a few weeks. Are you doing your exercises? I think if you have a swelling it might be worth calling your BCN as they might be able to do something for you.

I still have swelling and pain in my breast and I'm 4 months post op.