Residual cancer cells in axillary gland after treatment

I have only had one or two lymph nodes out, and I have nerve damage where they were taken from.  The area is completely numb.  My sister had quite a few removed, and she now has lymphodema.  Most days she has to wear a long glove which is tight, to keep the swelling down. She occasionally gets a infection in her arm.  

Hi I had 3 infected lymph nodes removed after chemo and all were clear when sent to pathology so I didn't need the clearance. Have also had a mastectomy. I will be having radiotherapy as a precaution. I have had no issues, sorry I can't answer about clearance but good luck x

Hi Eden

i came on to forum looking to see how people found just phesgo,having done 6 cycles of docetaxel, carboplatin with phesgo prior to surgery at the start of April.  I had just phesgo last Friday and certainly feel considerably better than I did at this point when I had it with chemo.  I have found that despite feeling normal, I set off for a good walk, but get tired quickly and am feeling stiff and slow. I am wondering if it’s the phesgo or if it is menopause symptoms.  My histopatholgy for left breast indicates although good response, there were still some cancer cells in breast, and one single cell in lymph( I had complete clearance on left).  I also have different breast cancer on right, much smaller, and am awaiting histopathology on that and on sentinel node biopsy, once that’s in I will find out what chemo next, and also been referred for radiotherapy.   So far, I think phesgo only is a lot better than chemo.  I was also wondering about work wen just on phesgo- I’m thinking I would just have to get on with it, but will be hard work week one after injection, as I do feel physically tired. Suppose it depends on job.  Good luck with your treatment going forwards. 

I had 3 lymph nodes out ( they were all clear), along with a lumpectomy, and re-excision and no issues.  I have kept my arms mobile, but nothing strenuous x

I had full axillary node clearance and it was awful, a lot of pain after op, longer recovery than mastectomy, longer with the drain, severe cording, 3 months later still having physio. If you have the choice, which I understand some do then I would opt for just radiotherapy in that area rather than the full removal of lymph nodes. I understand it is just as effective. 

Just noticed this was 16 days ago, what did they agree at your appointment the next day? 

Hi. Thanks for replying! No, they've basically left it up to me. She said there's little to no evidence to support treatment options either way for someone like me who had isolated cancer cells left in the node after treatment. I have chosen the surgery as I just can't face the idea of more chemo if it comes back in another node... 

I’m late to this, but anyway..

My initial surgery for 1.2 cm breast lump had found 2 sentinel nodes with cancer in, one of which had spread into surrounding tissues. I was strongly advised to have axillary clearance after the EC and paclitaxel chemos as the lump was grade 3, with high proliferation potential. I did not want it, but did consent. It was a bit of a process what with the drain, weird prickly pains, numbness, slight cording etc but the revelation that all my nodes had been clear did spare me some radiotherapy. I had already taken the view that if clear, then very good, if not best they were gone.
Once I was rid of the drain I got going on the exercises and have had very few times when I have felt lymphatic fluid building up before dispersing to lymph nodes across, down or upwards in my body or just being absorbed. I went on to a radiotherapy consultation some weeks later and the radiologist saw the cording and advised me to lubricate with oil/cream and massage the cords by going up and down them between my finger and thumb.

Anyway 16 months on I’m still numb, but less so and haven’t developed lymphoedema as yet. I’m right handed and the cancer has been on the right side. I’m not v diligent about specific exercises, but I keep active and don’t stint on any household stuff that involves reaching, lifting etc. I mostly wear quite snug crop top/ sports bra type underwear now, definitely not the underwired I used to.

All the very best xx

Hi

I had grade 2 stage 2 BC that had spread to 2 lymph nodes. I had a lumpectomy and full node clearance.

i went back on for a shaving on the breast as I didn’t have clear margins.

In total they removed 10 lymph nodes.

My surgeon said the amount vary from rash individual. I had my surgery in November and finished chemo two weeks ago - I start Radiotherapy on Thursday for 3 weeks.

My surgery was all ok, I managed to get away without needing drains so was probably more comfortable than those that have had them. I had some swelling in the armpit for a while afterwards- about the size of a golf ball, but this went down slowly over time. I have about a 7inch scar  from the node removal but it’s healed nicely, and has faded already. Can’t really see it when I have a bra on. It’s very numb still in certain areas under the arm, down the back of the arm on that side and also down that side.

My advice would be definitely do all the exercises that the hospital give you, this helps loads with the swelling and to prevent cording. That can be painful, but the exercises really help with that.

I moisturised and massage the scar daily(once it had healed a little) - still do and think that’ll helped too. I tried bio oil but the oil didn’t agree with my skin and made me itch, I found a good non scented cream worked better for me.

Dose up on paracetamol and do the exercises as much and as often as you can.

Hope all goes well for you