Lymph node clearance?

Hello....

It's complicated when no one really explains what is being done and why. My surgeon was the opposite. He had so much time and wouldn't let OH and I leave his clinic until he was sure we understood everything at every appointment. I have kept all his amazing diagrams where he tried to simplify things for us. 

So he told me, it is only necessary to remove the sentinel node to determine whether the cancer has moved and has been caught in the nodes. Negative....it is unlikely any others would have it as it usually goes to the sentinel first. However, he told me positive would mean another operation. I think radioactive dyes can pinpoint what else needs removing.....or they will take them all depending on hospital and skills. As you only had one removed I imagine this was identified using the dyes so probably a second op would identify the rest. My surgeon wouldn't have advised leaving anything to chance if my node had been positive. Whilst the nodes do a great job of keeping cancer from spreading, it is not permanent and once there it can spread so make sure you know exactly what your situation is before agreeing to any further treatment.

I hope all goes well for you in future. It is a nuisance but at least it's been identified and can now be treated too.

Take care.Karen

Hi!

My surgeon is very knowledgable and has explained and answered anything ive ever needed/asked.  

Its my understanding that the radioactive dye just identifies the node closest to the tumor, not any that are affected. But I will ask for this to be clarified tomorrow.

A second op would be full node clearance, which carries a lot of risks for present and future. 

Thanks for your valuable response! ️

Hello

I also had 1 positive sentinel node and was given the option of radiotherapy or auxiliary node clearance to remove other nodes from same arm. I was told the outcomes are similar with both but opted for the surgery as I wanted to know how many other nodes if any had cancer and I would not have known that from the radiotherapy. 
I had the surgery and they removed 16 nodes and luckily all were clear of cancer. The op was fine, had another drain post surgery and was removed on day 6. Pain was minimal an I managed on paracetamol only.

I then had the oncotype test and the score came back as 6 so chemo was not recommended. I am now on letrozole for 5 years which has some challenges but mainly okay apart from the flushes, sleep disturbances and aching muscles.

I Hope this helps and wish you all the very best 

This is helpful, thanks! As you had one node removed which was positive, just like me!

Did you have radiotherapy at all afterwards? Ive had lumpectomy surgery, so radiotherapy is on the cards. That is if the oncotype test is ok.

I think because I had a mastectomy they did not give me radiotherapy. 

Ah yeah, that makes sense! Thanks ️