Lymph nodes

Hello Jinks. It's a worrying time waiting for scan results but if cancer has spread to the lymph nodes this does not automatically indicate that it has spread elsewhere. I had a fairly large, grade 3 tumour but no pain in the armpit and the scans that I had prior to lumpectomy & sentinel node biopsy all indicated no sign of any cancer in the lymph nodes. However, the post-op biopsy results showed that there was cancer in one out of three of the nodes that had been removed but subsequent bone & CT scans showed no evidence that the cancer had spread anywhere else in the body, so that was a relief. I am currently having chemo and my prognosis is stated to be good. 

I hope this gives you some reassurance that a sore armpit does not mean that there is cancer there, and cancer in the lymph nodes does not mean that it has spread elsewhere. A decision on whether you need chemo or not will be made once your team have all of your test results, and the treatment plan will be tailored specifically to you, so although it's not easy try not to worry too much about your treatment and prognosis before you have all of the information that you need. I found that taking one day at a time helps x   

Hi, this is such an anxious time and we all know what you going through.  What I can tell you from my own experience was my ultraound showed no lymph nodes abnornality but I had MRI and this highlighted possibie abnornality  so had lymph node biopsied and it was positive.  I then had mastectomy and axillary clearance and 7 out 14 lymphnodes where positive.  I had ct and bone scan, both did not show any abnormality.  Oncologist told me that there is a possibility that micro cels are in my system, but with no test to find this out, chemo is given to kill these cells if there is any.  

Like you, every appt revealed something else and I dreaded going to the next appointment but they have thrown everything at me and I have just started chemo, will then have radio and hopefully go on hormone medication for 5-10 years xx

I'm going for an axillary clearance tomorrow.  I find the constant routine of treatment plans changing pending latest results a struggle. Just when I think I know where I am it changes again. X

Cancer in any part of the body can lead to sore lymph nodes, that was what I was told. Since my mastectomy and WLE the remaining lymph nodes in my arm are no longer inflamed. The inflamed left arm lymph nodes that were biopsied were negative fir cancer and I’m hoping the right ones are too, but they were ‘active’ as part of my immune system fighting the cancer. Hope you have good news

Hi. I had a lymph node ultrasound and knew one hurt when he pressed it with the scanner. I had a lymph clearance and 1/23 nodes had cancer. The one near my breast. They act as safety nets to stop cancer spreading further. I had CT and bone scans and all ok. Don’t worry if u have a positive node it’s not the end of the world. My benefit for having chemo was low because of type size grade etc so I had mastectomy (my choice) and radiotherapy. 
fingers crossed for your scans 

xx

We are just waiting for a CT scan appointment. My mum had a Lumpectomy and some lymph glands removed from her armpit during the surgery, which have come back ‘positive’ after being checked. Is the full body CT scan to ensure that cancer hasn’t spread outside the lymph nodes to any other parts of the body? What is a bone scan you mentioned? We all feel in limbo now waiting for the next stage, every-time we think it comes good we seem to be smacked with something else or more set backs.  

I’m learning a lot in these discussions. Thank you. X

I know how you feel as there was always a ‘but’ when told anything which I dwelled on but now I’ve changed my thought process now I know more and now think of the positives. 
yes the CT sees if the cancer has spread and so does a bone scan. It’s amazing what they can do and see. Waiting is the worst but remember no news is good news after your scans. Well that’s what my consultant told me. You will soon have a plan to go forward and feel so much better. X

Ah ok, I need to mention a bone scan.. Yes the waiting is causing anxiety now and we all want things to be clearer so we can go forward. It’s really good you seem so positive, I’m usually quite good at looking at the brighter side of things but finding it a little tricky at the moment. We will get there. Thank you and take care xx

You may not get offered a bone scan. I had it recently due to rib pain but I was only offered CT scan when diagnosed 

Ahh I understand. I was unsure whether it was a standard that we missed. Thank you for clarifying :)