What is lymph node cancer

Hello, I'm having a mastectomy and lymph node removal, all on left. As it is local to breast it is classed as one. It hasn't spread anywhere else. it's being done Tuesday 28th so hopefully all will be gone. My treatment has been wonderful so please don't worry, have faith in your hospital xx

Thanks for the reply. Don't worry I am not worried about it. Just wondering about the classification as it isn't clear on any websites I have read. 

Thanks again. 

Hi Cheesewell, sorry to hear you have BC and that you have had to find this site but it is a really good place to be for help, support and advice.  I was told that axilla nodes were not secondary. cancer.  Love Ann

That's great and answered my question. Thanks.

Yeh I have been on here a while. Diagnosed May chemo since July. Now coming to the end and onto surgery.

Thanks again for the reply. 

Hello. Whilst it is not secondary it can be classed as metastatic because it has spread to your lymph nodes which run up to your axilla. As for staging it also depends on the size of the tumour. Hope that helps xx

The tumour is/was 88mm

Do you know what grade? It is a sizeable cancer like mine so probably stage 3 but dont quote me on that. I asked my Onco about mine and she said dont think too much about the staging and look at the overall picture.  Take care xx

Grade 2

I had cancer in a  lymph node and scatters all over the breast ,  told it was stage 3 but not to worry as still treatable but now they have revised that down to stage 2 remember that stage 3 and grade 3 are totally different things but both treatable X 

Jayne X 

Hi Jane

Thanks for taking the time to reply. Yeh I understand the grade. My team have not discussed the stage but I guessed it would be 3 due to size and spread. I was more interested in the metastatic bit as I have been reading about it and was unclear about what is considered "distant" lymph nodes. 

Are you finished with treatment now. If so well done. If not best of luck with the rest. 

Heidi