Hello! Has anyone had lymph node involvement but no chemo?

Yes I had a lumpectomy and full node clearance in 2019. Tumour was4.8 cm and 2 nodes were positive. I was asked to participate in the optima trial. My tumour was analysed and as the score was low I didn’t have chemo, just radiotherapy and hormone therapy. It was a huge decision and I still wonder if it was the right one. Hope this helps

Thank you Ali68,

it is really scary and it’s a really big decision.  But hopefully with the trial you also avoided going through the side effects of chemo. what grade was your cancer?
do you have to have regular mammograms/scans as part of the research? 

Yes it was but as you say have avoided side effects of chemo which I am grateful for.

my tumour was grade 2 and I have 6 monthly checks( though have had to fight for these due to pandemic) I also have yearly mammogram

What are the 6 monthly checks if you don’t mind me asking? 
im Thinking if we should Opt into this option depending on the results! Obviously it all Depends on mum

Hi Daizy03

My friend's mum was diagnosed a year after me - 3 1/2 years ago and she had lymph node involvement.  She had lumpectomy and radiotherapy and because she was 81 the team looking after her decided not to do chemo.  The Onco DX test wasn't around much then and she didn't have one.  She was ER+ and actually reacted so badly to the tablets that she stopped taking them.

She was a very fit 81 year old and within 6 months was back to playing her badminton, so it surprised me that they didn't do chemo. for her, but I guess they work on a normal expected life span for an 81 year old for relatively early stage of cancer vs quality of life now.  She's still playing badminton now!

Best wishes, Lesley

Thank you Lesleyhelen. Oh wow! Think it should depend on the individual Rather than age. But I’m so glad she is actually back to normal, it’s so positive! My mum is 69, so I was thinking they may be considering age but im Not too sure. Does your friends mum have regular scans to make sure it’s not growing or spreading?

thank you 

Hi Daizy03

I was described as 'very young' at 51 when I was diagnosed, so I don't think age 69 is deemed to be particularly old in the world of breast cancer.  I must admit I could have kissed the oncologist when he said this to me, ha, ha.

When I was at radiotherapy, there was a lady waiting for transport who was 89 (bless her), so they obviously don't skimp on treatments, just think about the risks vs benefits.

My friend's Mum has the same annual check ups as I do.  I'm having them every year for the 5 years.  My next one is June next year and then it'll be the standard every 3 years.  Having said that, to "see if it's growing or spreading" isn't what they are doing as during the lumpectomy, even without the spread they removed my sentinel lymph nodes to check it hadn't spread and they removed ALL of my friend's lymph nodes after they had discovered it had been in a couple of her sentinel lymph nodes.  So, with the surgery, radiotherapy and tablets (although she's not taking them) they have got rid of the cancer and the chemo. would have been 'belts and braces' of the treatment.  

She's just decided against the tablets which is another part of the 'belts and braces' to prevent recurrence.

Hope this helps.

Best wishes, Lesley

Hi Daisy. I have an oncology appt every Feb and a breast clinic appt every August. I also have a research nurse I can speak to. I forgot to add there was a 75% chance of having chemo on this trial as not all tumours are tested. If you search optima on the Macmillan website you can find out more.

sending love to you both. Ali xx

I’m Thank you so much for your positivity Lesley! It made me laugh

read your bio as well! So glad you have the all clears and making the most of life now. It’s true, we should live to the fullest as we don’t know what’s waiting for us tomorrow. 

I was stressed over my mums surgery, asked the nurse if mum maybe able to tolerate and she told me a patient who was 96 had her mastectomy last week. 
I know they won’t be skimpt over treatment but we always think of the worst dont we. 

may I ask whether your friends mum has had two surgery’s at the lymph nodes ? sentinel node biopsy and then clearance ? And she didn’t have chemo to brace it isn’t it. 
jusy gives me hope incase they say they can’t do chemo 

Thank you so much Ali, most appreciated