Hi everyone. I had wide local exicision to remove a 2.5cm IDC tumour (ER and PR positive, HER negative) 2 weeks ago, along with sentinel node biopsy. Prior to the surgery no nodes showed as positive on either ultrasound or MRI but the surgery revealed one out of two nodes as positive as well as lymphovascular invasion.
I’ll now be having a complete axillary clearance and then chemo and radio which has all come as a massive shock because I expected only surgery followed by radiotherapy. Chemo because I’m still premenopausal / in my 40s apparently.
I’m worried about potential additional node involvement and the ramifications of this (will find out post surgery obvs but that’s at least 4 weeks away). Does anyone have experience of negative nodes on scan but positive after surgery? In my head I’m thinking because nothing showed on the scans it’s likely to be limited node involvement, maybe just the one? And because only one out of two sentinel nodes were positive, maybe it’s just that one?!
Sorry for the ramble. Any advice / experience much appreciated.
Hi, I think I might be similar. My ultrasound and mri showed no lymph node involvement. I had my lumpectomy and node biopsy. It is only then that they found out I had one node affected. They did say it was tiny though. I started radiotherapy fairly quicky. Did not require further surgery or chemo.
Best wishes x
Quite a few people I’ve spoken to have had clinically clear (palpitation/ultrasound) lymph nodes but found positive after SLNB. I had 2 of 3 positive with macromets . I was offered Axillary clearance surgery or radiotherapy as clinical trials show that for early stage BC both equally effective. I opted for the radiotherapy as concerned about additional surgery. Had chemotherapy as also had LVI and finished treatment over a year ago. Annual check up showed still clear of disease.
I had WLE and repair to reconstruction with node sampling just over a week ago. Im similar to you except my IDC wasnt in breast tissue but mastectomy envelope. All scans showed nodes and rest of body clear. So im hoping when i get results of surgery next week it will be clear as im expecting but your post has made me realise we should take nothing for granted! Good luck with the rest of your treatment xx
Hi, I also had a 25mm ER & Pr positive tumour. Prior to surgery ultrasound and MRI showed no lymph node involvement. However after lumpectomy 2 of 3 nodes removed showed macromets. It was a shock. I decided to have a total node clearance but no other nodes showed cancer in them. The fact that your other node they removed is negative is reassuring but not a guarantee other nodes are not effected. I’m 2 1/2 years on from surgery and will complete adjuvant treatments towards the end of the year (except for Letrozole). You will find the strength to get through this. My advice is just take a day at a time. We are fortunate that today’s treatments have progressed so much in recent years reducing our risks of recurrence. I wish you well, take care.