LN spread

Ask our Nurses your questions
1

Hello, and thank you for taking the time to read this.

I was recently diagnosed with breast cancer of the right breast Grade 3 IDC ER+ HER- with no axillary LN involvement. However a recent CT scan picked up a 7mm internal mammillary node on the sternum. I have had a PET scan & will get the result in 2 weeks as to whether the cancer has spread to that region.

Is it common for the cancer to spread to those lymph nodes without any axillary involvement and does spread to these specific nodes affect my prognosis significantly?

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Sorry to hear that @niya44. I don’t know for sure, but I think most breast cancers go to axillary nodes first. 7mm isnt big for a lymph node. Mine were all around 15mm and I did have 2 positive but they werent bigger than the others as I’d have expected. Fingers crossed that your scan heralds good news and that all is well in lymph node land. If not, it will have been identified and can be factored in to your treatment plan. Good luck x

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Thank you @bluesatsuma that’s reassuring! I had my PET scan today and results in 2 weeks xx

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Hello niya44

Thank you for your post.

It’s understandable you have questions having recently been diagnosed with breast cancer. Sometimes it’s easier to talk this through on the phone, so do call our Helpline if you prefer.

You may not yet have all the information about your breast cancer as you are waiting for the result of the PET scan. Some tests can take longer to report than others and waiting for results can be a worrying and stressful time. You can also ask for a copy of your pathology report to read through with a member of your treatment team. Our booklet Understanding your pathology results may be helpful for you to read.

From what you say, your breast cancer has been confirmed in the intra mammary lymph nodes. These are nodes within the breast tissue itself and sometimes they can contain cancer without axillary spread. As @bluesatsuma says 7mm is a small node. The risk of breast cancer spreading or returning is based on many factors. All the information is important and is considered together when deciding on the best treatment plan for an individual.

It is difficult for us to comment on or answer your question about your prognosis. Your treatment team are best placed to discuss this along with the treatment plan they have for you.

Talking to someone who has had a similar experience 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.

You can ring the Someone Like Me team on 0114 263 6490 or email them at someone.likeme@breastcancernow.org, so they can then match you to your volunteer.

Do call our Helpline if you would like to talk this through or have any further questions. 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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