Hi,
I am 62, and diagnosed with stage 1 breast cancer in June.
Had a lumpectomy and sentinel lymph nodes biopsy end July. The results showed cancer in these lymph nodes.
I now have option of removal of all lymph nodes or radiotherapy.
The risk of lymphoedema puts me off the surgery, but will the radiotherapy guarantee getting rid of cancerous cells?
I don't know what to do.
There may be no cancer in the other nodes, but the only way to find out is removal unfortunately:( My nodes looked clear on the ultrasound but one had 6mm cancer cells. I then had level 3 clearance and not a dot was found anywhere else. I asked about radiotherapy, but there is a risk (albeit smaller) of lymphedema with that too. Do you what grade your cancer was as that might be a factor in deciding?
It's a tough one, and clearance does affect most people in some way, though so does radiation! I went for clearance as then I knew for sure, but it's a personal choice...
Grade 1 cancer. Surgeon was surprised it was in lymph nodes.
How was your recovery after lymph node removal?
Do you mind me asking your age?
Hi Janet, you are just a little bit younger than me I just had a clearance and it's a bit swollen and numb . I think it will always be numb under my arm I don't know yet if cancer in them as results not back until next week . I glad I had them taken away as the worry of all this has been the hardest part . The surgeon felt they didn't look right and so decided to clear them it's a risk but I'm glad she did that . It's a difficult decision to make take you time . Im so glad for you that your cancer was only stage 1 .
Hi JanetW, I was 64 when I had all my axilla nodes removed with lumpectomy, October 2020, I also had radiotherapy, it is a bit swollen and will probably always be so, gets a bit sore, i had no choice so I can't help you there but either can give you lymphoedema I believe but the surgeon told me only about a third of women get lymphoedema. Hope that helps. Love from Ann
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