Tests after Mastectomy

From what I understand they check for clear margins,  ie that all the cancer cells have been removed and there are healthy cells around the edges.   I had an axillary clearance so they will check how many lymph nodes are cancerous which can indicate the risk of secondary cancer.   I think that they will also check the grade and stage of the cancer.  All these results are then used to help draw up the best treatment plan, chemo, radiotherapy, hormone therapy or a combination of all three.

I have my post OP check tomorrow so I can double check whether the above is correct. 

Wishing you all the best x

Dear Harvestmoon, thank you so much for your reply. Good luck today, hope all goes well, sending lots of love and healing hugs

Hi Sparkle. Yes, once you have the mastectomy they do more biopsies. The initial biopsies do not give all the information. They also check for clear margins to make sure the chest wall is not compromised and also the size can change from what they originally thought from the scans. And they check how many of the nodes they remove have cancerous cells.

I had my surgery in September and have now started chemo, with radiotherapy to follow. I had very large breasts so it was a big operation with a longer recovery time, but I am all healed now. It has certainly been a bit of a journey but I have had loads of support from my medical team, as will you. Wishing you all the best xx

Dear Dee Dee, thank you so much for your message, sending love and healing hugs x