Lymph node involved?

Ask our Nurses your questions
1

Hi there,

I have a grade 1 stage 1 hormone positive ER- negative diagnosis, picked up during a routine screening mammogram mid September. I’m 54yrs old. Ultrasound and MRI indicated no node involvement.

Two weeks ago, after a lumpectomy, and sentinel node removal, the assisting surgeon told me the sentinel node was ‘enlarged and hot’. This really freaked me out (up to this point everything since the words ‘unfortunately you have cancer’ had been really positive). She said it could be because the sentinel node was the first to be impacted by the blue dye or that I might have an infection. She also said that no other nodes had ‘lit up’.

My post surgery appointment today has just been cancelled. I am still hopeful that the node will be clear…has anyone had a similar positive experience??

My questions are: if the node is involved does this mean my grade will change? Would it mean I now need chemo? (Instead of just radiotherapy). And will I need further node biopsy?

Thank you for reading this. I know I should be grateful for a low grade and stage (and I am) it’s just Im feeling really despondent today with the not knowing continuing.

Any advice/ reassurance greatly received. Thank you so much x

1 Like
2

Hi, I was very similar to yourself. I was 53 last year when I had lumpectomy and node biopsy for stage 1. They got clear margins for lumpectomy but cancer traces in first lymph node. This did bring me to stage 2 though. I did not have any further surgery but did have 5 sessions of radiotherapy and currently on tamoxifen.
On reading similar posts, I am surprised that I didnt have chemo or additional surgery. My surgeon did say it was only very small traces.
Best wishes x

3

Hi, I had a similar experience grade 1 ER+ PR+ HER2- I was 50 at diagnosis, 2 years ago. I was told lymph nodes looked fine but after sentinel node biopsy and lumpectomy I had one node involved so had 2nd op, full lymph node clearance and no further nodes involved. I had the oncotype test to see if any benefit of having chemo but my score came back low so went on to have 5 radiotherapy sessions and now take tamoxifen and have monthly zoladex jabs. It’s as frightening as hell at the time, but please trust your medical team and be reassured that you do get through it and things do get better. Loads of love and luck for your results, whatever the outcome your treatment plan will be the right one for you xx

4

The grade they give u is usually provisional and the most accurate is after surgery when a specimen goes to the lab. I would just wait and see, we all try to anticipate things but honestly I wasted so much time on the as the outcome was very different to the initial information.
I know it’s hard waiting for everything to happen or to know the outcome of a test or a intervention but maybe try focusing on what u are going to do when this is all over, helped me smile more xx

5

Thank you Poorlyboob…it’s good to hear someone similar is safely out the other side.

6

Ljalf71 it sounds like my next steps could be similar to yours. . Thank you for responding. It makes me feel a bit better hearing that even the worse case scenario for me at the moment, can ultimately be fine.

7

It’s the trying not to anticipate and second guess that’s consuming me…I just can’t stop thinking and fearing the worst today. You’re right though, I need to focus on better days! Thank you Taralynn.

8

For sure, I do understand how you’re feeling when I was told it had spread to a lymph node it was almost like I’d been re diagnosed it was probably the toughest time for me. I even questioned the grade as grade 1 rarely spreads but I have since met others with the same diagnosis. Another way to look at it is that ultimately that lymph node was doing its job, this is how my oncologist explained it. Stay positive, you’ll be fine xx

9

Thank you so much. This helps. Have a lovely weekend xx

10

Hello morion24

Thanks for posting. It’s good to see you’ve had some support from our other forum users.

It’s understandable you feel despondent. You may want to give us a call this afternoon to talk this through we are here today until 4pm 0808 800 600.

Having lymph nodes affected by cancer would not change the grade but could change the stage. How many lymph nodes were affected would determine further treatment. For example, some women like @ljalf71 needed further surgery to remove the remaining lymph nodes. Chemotherapy might be indicated, again depending on what is found in the lymph nodes. An Oncotype DX test also might be recommended.

You explain being hormone positive ER- negative. If someone is hormone positive, they are usually ER positive, we wonder if you mean you are hormone positive and HER2 - negative. Your treatment team will be able to clarify this for you at your next appointment.

Hopefully you won’t have to wait long for your post-surgery review to be rescheduled. You may want to call your breast care nurse to talk through when this is likely to be.

You are welcome to continue this conversation in the surgery section of our forums.

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Best wishes

Jane

Breast Care Nurse

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