24 in 27 lymph nodes affected- assume this is sky high?

Hi,

My MRI before beginning chemotherapy showed breast cancer in all 22 lymph nodes (think it varies from person to person how many you have in total) and at the halfway point in chemotherapy an ultrasound showed significant reduction of both breast tumour and cancer in nodes.  I am now nearing the end of chemotherapy and can hardly feel any lumps at all under arm now (I am having chemo before surgery). I understand and share your worry over the high number.  Hope it all goes  well for you.  .

I had 21/27 and a 20cm lobular tumour removed with local spread (inter vascular invasion). Found out the extent of it after surgery and it was a shock!!  I’ve had chemo, radio and started on Letrozole. Next week I start Abemaciclib.  All are “adjuvant” for me - ie there is nothing they can see that can shrink but they suspect tiny bits may have spread.  So it leaves me in the funny position of not knowing if the results are good but I know everything has been done to bash it and I’m starting to enjoy life and make plans as I adjust to long term side effects.  I find it hard that there is no “all clear” or “it’s over” as I’ve been told I won’t be discharged but equally all those cells could be gone…. Those 6 lymph nodes do seem to count for something in discussions so hang on to your 4 that are clear in your head. There are others I’ve come across with 20+ positive nodes coming out the other end of treatment and getting back to life but I’ve not come across many. Hope it goes well for you.  

To clarify my “not many” - there don’t seem to be that many people with 20+ affected nodes but those I have come across sharing their stories seem to be doing well 

Thanks for coming back & clarifying that point!! Will see what the oncologist says on Wednesday as it’s likely my floaters are on the move so we need to hunt them down & bash them

sorry to hear your story & no real closure but starting to enjoy life again is lifting 

Im hanging on to my clear 3!!

Thanks for sharing, will know more as things unfold so I need to learn this waiting game ….I’m impatient & a control freak so it’s a big task for me to wait!

good luck with your treatment, brilliant news that the chemo appears to be doing it’s job x

Hi Rubber

I had 5cm tumour and 10/15 node positive.  I’ve had 8 rounds of chemo which I am told is preventative.  I’m having 15 rounds of radiotherapy, letrozole and abemaciclib.  We have to be positive and be led by professionals.  If your having the same treatment then we have to have hope.  Xx

I had a 1.6cm lobular tumour removed and they found 5/6 cancerous nodes when they removed the sentinel lymph nodes. 4 months of chemo then more surgery for lymph node clearance found a further 25/26 were still positive! Like LabradorLover I have had radiotherapy, I'm on letrozole for 10 years and Abemaciclib for 2 years to hopefully mop up anything they missed. I had scans after the clearance which showed no spread. It was a horrible time having so many positive lymph nodes but as my oncogist said they have been removed and the cancer in them removed from my body. Mentally I struggled for a while with these results but had counselling through Macmillan which really helped . I am also having Zoledronic acid infusions every 6 months for 3 years. When you read other ladies stories you realise that there seems to be no rhyme or reason to BC and if it is going to spread( big lump, small lump, number of lymph nodes involved, different treatments etc.) I  am now happy to take all the treatments on offer and hope that they will mop any cells that sneaked through. This forum has been a life saver for me when I have bad days. 

Thanks for your honest response, I’m getting my head round the numbers but trying to really focus on the treatment plan- chemo starts Monday, more surgery, 2x radiotherapy then hormone therapy, it’s going to be a long journey but you guys in this forum stop me feeling isolated. 
I’m so lucky to have discovered the 1st tumour by routine mammogram, not 1 ounce of self pity will be given

safe journey to everyone on this crap & crazy coach tour xxx

Hi, I would echo the same as others. Even if lots of lymph nodes are involved, you can still have an excellent response to treatment. For oestrogen positive, her2 negative cancers likes yours, abemaciclib is offered afterwards with promising results. And for HER2 positive, there is herceptin. Lots of reasons to stay positive as there are new treatments coming too. Hang in there, it’s quite a ride, and chemo can be very effective. Xxx