Breast cancer cells in lymph node but not in breast!!

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Hi, I’m wondering if anyone else has had the same diagnosis or similar? I was referred (eventually, but that’s another story) with an enlarged lymph node in my left armpit, a biopsy showed that there was cancer in the lymph node. I went on to have a mastectomy of my left breast and all my lymph nodes removed from left arm. I saw my consultant last week who informed me that neither the breast or the rest of the lymph nodes had any cancer in them, apparently I have cancer with an unknown primary but they suspect breast because the cells in the original lymph node were breast cancer cells. I am also Her2 positive and will now have chemo for 6 months, herceptin for 12 months and then start on tamoxifin for at least 5 years. if anyone else is familiar with this diagnosis I would be grateful for input xx

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Hi,

Can’t offer any help but bumping this up in case someone else can.

Have to say this sounds most unusual.

E

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Yep thats me exactly the same except I didnt have a masectomy chose not to as the primary was never found and took advise from the Royal Marsden. I havent time to write now but if you want to pm me i will send you my email address. Also if you go to cupfoundjo.org/meetingspace/ this is a site that specialises in our type of cancer. My story is on there under Sallie also on my own web site. Hope i can be of some help.
Sallie

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Thanks for the bump Emmbee and Hatty I will be in touch xx

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hi
I have a mass in the axilla-infected lymph nodes have joined together to form a mass.I had mammos which were all negative but a biopsy found it to be cancer.Did not have a mx but had chemo and radiotherapy to breast and axilla.The mass has not completely shrunk so am waiting for ,hopefully,an operation to remove it.They knew it was breast cancer because I am er+ so now on hormone therapy.Hope your treatment is going well.

L xx

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Hi Lucinda, yes that makes sense I am also er+ Our authority doesnt tend to share medical reports with patients. I’m hoping to find out more when I see my oncologist in a couple of weeks. Good luch with your surgery and further treatment x

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Hi, I had an 80mm tumour (among others) in axillary nodes.
Pathology after Mx found a tiny 1mm primary in nearby boob. That tiny thing had caused a whole load of trouble once it started travelling

So you’re not alone.

Good luck.

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Hello Bonch
It really annoys me that they do not seem to want us to know about OUR treatment.I get a copy of all consultation letters.Just ask your oncologist for a copy of your reports, or if you think that will not work go to your gp’s surgery and ask for copies of all letters sent from the hospital to your gp.You are entitled to copies and it is so helpful to read through things and get your head around it.
Good luck.

L XX

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I have a complete copy of all my medical records, scans etc are on dvd it cost me £20.00 all you do is ask at customer services section of the hospital.

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Thanks Lucinda and Hattie, I will certainly ask for more information. I am still waiting for my appointment with oncologist so I will go armed with a list of questions.

Ninja that is amazing! I know my breast surgeon says its really good news that they haven’t found anything anywhere else, but that just makes me think where is it then, I kinda wish they would find a little tiny bit in the breast that they took off this would relax me a bit I think.

xx

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Sallie!!! Why did I just call you Hattie? even spelt a different way from Hatty when I know who you are cos I’ve spoken to you ha ha. I can’t even blame it on chemo brain yet xx