Hi ladies. Been to see my oncologist today. The original plan was for me to have chemo them an operation to remove the lymph nodes followed by radiotherapy. Today he said that he doesn’t think the lymph node clearance is necessary. He thinks the chemo and radiotherapy will finish off any stray cancer cells. I am not sure what to think. On the one hand it’s great that I don’t need op but what if I do need it and don’t get it. 2 out Of three lymph nodes had small traces of cancer in at the mastectomy. Has anyone else had this and not had lymph node clearance. Thanks
Hi Lucy Lu,
The lymph ducts of the breast usually drain the lymphatic fluid to one lymph node first, before draining through the rest of the lymph nodes underneath the arm. Hence there may be a number of reasons for this choice. Although it is called a node - it can actually a number of small nodes in a bunch.
If not all nodes, which were removed showed traces - the risks attached to doing an axillary node clearance (lymphedema, nerve injury, and shoulder dysfunction, which compromise functionality and quality of life) might well outweigh the risk of anything having spread further.
As only two were found to have some traces, with the third one clear - that may well be the reason for your oncologists decison. The chemo and radiotherapy should ‘mop’ aything up - just in case there has been an escapee.
Hope this anser helps little.
Hugs
Sue xxx
Hi Lucy
I havent but I had neoadjuvant chemo so I had my op afterwards I had an actual lump in my nodes plus traces in others and after chemo there was no trace of anything they were all free of cells so your oncologist could be right that nothing would be left. But obviously its up to you as its your body
Jen x
Jen and Sue thank you for your responses. It does make sense. I will discuss it with my oncologist and will go with his advice because I really do trust him