Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy or Magnetic tracer?

Hi, I’m awaiting a mastectomy (in a few weeks time) for high grade DCIS 11cm. I have been given the choice of having the lymph node biopsy during the mastectomy (slight chance of lymphoedema) or having a magnetic tracer left in to identify lymph nodes if they need to be removed later (if any invasive cancer is found in the breast after pathology). There was no sign of invasive cancer in my biopsies but they can’t know for certain until the whole breast is tested. Has anyone else faced this decision, which choice did you make and if so what was the outcome? Thanks in advance

1 Like

Not quite the same experience, but I had 3 sentinel lymph nodes removed at the same time as my lumpectomy. I don’t remember being given a choice but that might just be my memory. 2 of the 3 were found to have cancer, so all in all I’m glad they did this. After radiotherapy no more surgery was required. No lymphodema, but I do massage my arm every day now.

1 Like

I had a similar experience as Alwaysachoice but it was my choice to have the lymph nodes removed. They turned out to be clear of cancer. No lymphoedema here either.

1 Like

Thank you for sharing your experience

Thank you for sharing this