Hi, i am new to this site, unfortunately have recently been diagnosed with bc. The plan to have a sentinel node biopsy sat , has anyone any advice rgarding this proceedure? The plan is then to start chemo then a lumpectomy and radiotherapy. Feeling very anxious about all this,
Sarah
Hi Sarah
Firstly, welcome to the forums, I am sorry to read of your recent diagnosis.
You may find our helpline useful to call, it is run by specialist breast care nurses who can help you through this difficult time, listen to your concerns and offer information, advice and support. They are on 0808 800 6000 and open Monday - Friday, 9am - 5pm, Saturday, 9am - 2pm. In addition, Breast Cancer Care have published a Resource Pack, it has been designed for anyone newly diagnosed with information to help you better understand your diagnosis, test results and various treatments, it is available via the following link or by contating the helpline: breastcancercare.org.uk//content.php?page_id=7514 Also, . I do hope you find this information of some help.
Best wishes
Katie
I had sentinel node biopsy four years ago. It involves injecting dye and a small amount of tracer into the nipple/tumour area, then it moves to where the nearest lymph nodes are. They then remove these and test them to see if there are any abnormal breast cancer cells in them. This helps ‘stage’ the cancer. If cancerous cells are found, the rest of the lymph nodes are also taken out, but if not, then you can keep them. I’ve still got mine, as my lymph nodes didn’t have any cancer cells in them. If you do have lymph nodes with any cancer cells you are very likely to have chemotherapy unless there are medical reasons why not e.g. you are very elderly. Chemotherapy helps kill abnormal cells which may have started circulating beyond the breast.
You are bound to feel terrible, it’s not good news but good luck with your treatment. I had partial mastectomy, sentinel node biopsy, radiotherapy and a few years of tamoxifen but I am still around
Mole
Thanks Mole for your info, it certainly helps knowing that i am not the only one dealing with this situation, take care
Sarah 66
What Mole says does not necessarily happen. I had sentinel node biopsy. 2 nodes removed, both cancerous. Then chemo and then radiotherapy. End of treatment. Must say I would have liked to know how many nodes were affected, but neither I nor the hospital know.
Sarcath
My experience mirrors Mole, I was booked in for SNB and mastectomy Dec 05 (large lump). My surgeon always prefers SNB as full clearance carries its own risks. Upon findings during op it was changed to Full Node Clearance as I did have loads of nodes involved but at least I only had to have the one op, which was my surgeons intention.
I am just over 2 years, completed 8 x chemo, 18 herceptin, 25 rads and 1.5/5 yrs of tamoxifen and just had recon, currently NED and no signs of lymphodemia either.
Best wishes
Debbie
Hi Sarah,
I too am similar to Mole. My consultant always does SNB first but he told me if he found any cancerous nodes from this they would all come out. He removed about 4 or 5 of mine which had no sign of cancer so no more were taken I then had WLE, 5 weeks of radio and 5 years of tamoxifen (no chemo because of tumor size - less than 2cm and no nodes involved). That was a year ago and I go for the results of an annual mammogram at the end of next week.
I hope everything goes ok for you - I think once you start your treatment you may feel less anxious as you know what is happening and can get with it.
Take care
Shorty
Hi Sarah,
not much more info I can add I had a similar experience to Shorty. The only thing my whole family found amusing is that I had a blue nipple for some months after (only just fading - had op in Nov 07) and you wee blue wee !!. My husband was so amazed he took a picture of it (sad ). and trying not to laugh at that just after your op is very difficult.
Good Luck its a roller coaster of a time but there is so much they can to now.
loads of love
Jo
Hi Sarah,
I was diagnosed on xmas eve.1.8cm grade 2 had WLE and sentinal node biopsy on 10th Jan. Like everyone said be prepared for the blue wee and other bodily by products but it stops after about 3 days, just fades to turquoise and then green then gone. i have an appointment with oncologist on monday for my treatment programme. They are looking at hormone therapy and rads for sure, still deciding on chemo. They cant seem to make their minds up as I am premenopausal(39) so its great for us (aparently!!!) but as tumour under 2cm and nodes and margins clear they are not sure.
Hints on sentinal node op. Make sure you take nightwear with easy access just in case.I had some M&S strappy vests from the knicker dept that I could step into and just pull up and the straps are so stretchy you can pull them down for inspection easily. They are about £3 and come in all colours (something you will end up doing loads everytime I go I have to strip off even just to give a blood sample they always want to have a look)Oh and by the way the blue stain on your bob lasts a couple of months but just looks like a big bruise without the pain.
Shorty: Hope you dont mind me asking how old you are and what grade becuse we sound very similar diagnosis. I am 1.8cm Grade 2 ER+ and PR+ but HER2 negative. I have been prepared for chemo and other ladies in here with similar dx have had chemo but they are grade 3 and over 40.
Love and luck to all Shonagh xx
Hi Shonagh,
Hope everything going ok for you after your op - mine was 12th Jan last year, diagnosed 3 days before xmas 06!
I am 45 now 44 when diagnosed and pre menopausal. Mine was lobular (often harder to spot and so bigger when found) but luckily it was only 1.2cm. It was a grade 2 and ER+ slightly PR+ but Her2 negative. So yes very similar.
I have been taking tamoxifen since March but I still have horrendous periods, Onc was not particularly bothered about this and said some stop and some don’t but as ovaries are functioning so well I have visions of loads of oestrogen flying around my body! I see my consultant next week for annual mammogram result so I will mention this to him.
Look after yourself and hope Monday goes well.
Shorty xx
Hi
One thing i would like to add is take care of your arm after… always make sure you have blood tests etc done in other arm. be very careful if you cut or graze the arm. oh i just remembered even blood pressure must be done on other arm. prob other people on here will add more. this is all because of lymphoma or what ever its called. apparently you can get it years after as well. i only knew because of leaflets i sent for from this site no one told me at hospital…when i went in recently for mastectomy and recon the nurses started to do blood pressure on my bad arm i stopped them and they said good job i did… they just take arm nearest to them… so beware for ever now. take care. Julie xx