Initially was told by the bcn that the team have decided to go with radiotherapy. Chemo has not been advised due to Iow oncotype.
however speaking to the oncologist yesterday she said the choice is ours. 1/1 sentinel node was positive and 1/5 axillary node is positive ( they did axillary node sampling).
Radiation will be given to the axilla but not to the collar bone and neck. The oncologist said this is the risk as there may be some lymph nodes positive- but highly unlikely. So she said it is up to us to decide. She said the hormone medication letrazole will be given.
any opinions or any one who had similar experience ?
Hi Chickencoop
Welcome to the forum and sorry to hear that you have been diagnosed with breast cancer. While I'm no expert just because your sentinel node biopsy was positive it doesn't mean that your axillary nodes will be positive. Hopefully they won't be.
Wishing you the best of luck with your next operation and treatment.
Best wishes
Daisy53
Following this also. My sentinel nodes were negative one ultrasound and then positive after surgery. I had full node clearance 12 days ago and awaiting pathology from this. I did wonder if I should have just gotten radiation as this surgery was more painful but they said the information would be lost as to how many nodes. I am not sure why it matters however as I asked if this would change my chemo regime and they advised not. I keep going with what they say as they’re the experts but can see from this website that different trusts often seem to do things very differently and they can’t all be right.
Hi Hel39
Yes it really does seem to be that different trusts do things differently and that is very confusing !
I really hope you have good news from the node clearnace report - it's such a worrying time isn't it , waiting for results?
My surgery is booked for 25th March and I can't say I'm looking forward to it - did you have any problems with swelling and if you don't mind me asking how long your drain was in for ? I really don't want to get lymphoedema on top of everything!
Sorry I'm getting off the track !
I hope all goes well and positive thoughts xx
Hello Chickencoop. I had Grade 3 invasive ductal cancer and initially was told that just surgery then radiotherapy would be needed. I then had a lumpectomy and sentinel node biopsy and 1 out of the 3 sentinel nodes removed had cancer so the plan changed to chemotherapy, further surgery to re-excise margins and a full axillary clearance, followed by radiotherapy. The MRI, CT and ultrasound scans showed no sign of cancer in the lymph nodes or anywhere else in the body but I was told by the oncologist that although scans may give an indication of any cancer in the lymph nodes (eg swelling) the only way to know for definite is via removal & biopsy. I had my axillary clearance in January and they took out all of the lymph nodes up to level 3 (30 in total) but only one of these had cancer in. Treatment plans are dependent on the grade of the cancer as well as other factors such as age, general health etc and as I had Grade 3 invasive cancer which had spread to one of the sentinel lymph nodes then chemotherapy plus a full axillary clearance was recommended by the oncologist although ultimately the decision was up to me. I didn't want to take the risk of any cancer still being in my lymph nodes following chemo as I knew that would be a constant worry. Following the surgery and chemo the cancer has now gone and I'm currently having radiotherapy to mop up any stray cells.
It's natural to feel worried when you hear that the cancer is in your sentinel lymph nodes but this doesn't mean that it has spread further to the axillary lymph nodes, and even if it has it doesn't mean that it has spread to elsewhere in the body. Easier said than done but try to take each day/treatment at a time if you can. Hope the rest of your treatment goes well x
Thank you. I hope all goes well for you too. It is just such a stressful time.
my drain was in for 6 days but they said it comes out after 5 for most. I now have a seroma which will need draining so maybe should have left it in longer but I was desperate for a shower.
I haven’t had any arm swelling. The first week was really hard with the exercises and I felt like I’d never get movement back as my whole chest and back pulled. I can now get my arm to shoulder height forwards and sideways and am working on getting above my head. It’s more a weird, uncomfortable feeling than actual pain and I only needed painkillers for the first few days.
Good luck with the surgery and let us know how you get on xx
Dear LalaLou
Thank you for aking the time to share that with me , I had 4 sentinel nodes removed and all positive so I guess that is really playing on my mind - it's running riot to be honest :(
I am so glad that your cancer has gone - it must be such a huge relief
I really wish you well with the rest of your treatment and thank you again- I must try to stay positive xxxxx
Thank you Hel39 ,
I really hope your seroma is drained soon so you are more comfortable
- I'll make sure I do my exercises - good luck with gradually improving your range of movement :) hopefully it will get easier with time - as I'm only 3/4 weeks post op from the mastectomy and reconstruction I'm only getting my affected arm just past shoulder height as it is so I'll have to make sure I try to be on it ASAP!
It really is nice to speak to others who are going through similar experiences - please keep in touch xxx
Hi, I too had a large cancer and also had 7/14 lymph nodes positive. My cancer size or lymph nodes were not picked up on mammogram and ultrasound. It was only because breast surgeon wanted to get exact size of cancer before lumpectomy so arranged MRI scan and this picked up abnormalities. This journey is such a rollercoaster, but I have nearly completed chemo and then will have radiotherapy.
All the best x
All four of mine were also- two macro and to micromets. So just waiting to see how many more now from the clearance come back positive. I don’t know if the results really matter now or not but guess they want the info for some reason x
Hi .mel28
Well done for almost completing chemo - you're nearly there:) I hope the radiotherapy goes smoothly and all goes well afterwards.
Did you have invasive lobular too ? Mine also was not picked up on mammogram and I had never really heard of it until my diagnosis? It seems it is very difficult to detect at least in the early stages
And you are right- it is a rollercoster ride but your nearly at the finish line ! Just a little bit further to go and you'll be there !
X
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