Axillary clearance Qs

Ask our Nurses your questions
1

May I ask a couple of questions about my upcoming axillary lymph node clearance please?

  1. My dr said my sentinel node had 4mm of cancer. This seems a lot. Do bigger metastases mean more nodes might be affected?
  2. After the operation, is recovery similar to the WLE?
  3. I want to lower my BMI to reduce the risk of lymphoedema. Is there anything else I can do in the 2 weeks before my op that will help?

Thank you :blush:

2

Hi @bluesatsuma

Thanks for posting on our forum

We hope to be able to respond to you tomorrow.

In the meantime our helpline is open until 4pm today.

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With best wishes.

Lisa

Ask Our Nurses service co-ordinator

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3

Hello bluesatsuma

Thank you for your post about axillary lymph node clearance.

The pathology results will say how many lymph nodes were removed during surgery and how many contain breast cancer cells. Macrometastases are cancer cells larger than 2mm. Your sentinel node was 4mm and this doesn’t necessarily mean that more nodes are affected. As you have one sentinel node with macrometastases, it sounds like you have been offered an axillary lymph node clearance and the recovery is similar to WLE.

You mention you want to reduce your risk of developing lymphoedema by reducing your BMI. Weight loss should happen over time and here is some information about managing your weight. You may also be interested in reading about diet during breast cancer treatment. Realistically, you can try to ensure you are eating a healthy well-balanced diet in the next two weeks but also for the future.

You may be interested in our booklet Reducing the risk of lymphoedema that describes what lymphoedema is and how you might reduce your risk of developing it after treatment for breast cancer.

We offer a range of free supportive services for anyone who has had a diagnosis of breast cancer which you may be interested in. They include face to face and online courses and events.

Talking to someone who has had a similar experience with axillary clearance can often be helpful. Our Someone Like Me service can match you with a trained volunteer who’s had a similar experience to you. You can be in touch with your volunteer by phone or email and they can share their personal experiences to answer your questions, offer support or simply listen to how you are feeling.

Do call our helpline if you would like to talk this through or have any further questions. The helpline team have time to listen, talk things through and signpost you to more support and information if necessary. Your call will be confidential, and the number is free from UK landlines and all mobile networks. The number is 0808 800 6000, (Relay UK - prefix 18001).

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Best wishes

Grete

Breast Care Nurse

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As we are unable to monitor for further replies, this thread will now be closed. If you have any additional questions or would like to provide feedback, please start a new thread, call our helpline, email us or request a call back.