Four Lymph Nodes Or Less

JacquiAL

Hi,

Can someone tell me the significant of having mestastisis in four lymph nodes or less and the difference between microinvasion and metastatic in the lymph nodes?  I had microinvasion in one (1.5mm) and metastatic (2.5mm) in the other out of 22.  The only thing my BS told me was she thought they would do the Oncotype Test because I had less than four nodes positive (which they did). I knew so little about bc then that I didn't think to ask her if there was any other significance.

I've read that lymph node involvement means that the cancer is more likely to spread but have also read the opposite.

Thanks in advance.

Jacqui

renee2010

did u ever get an answer to this..i have something similar

JacquiAL

Hi Renee,

I didn't get an answer.

Our posts should bump my question so hopefully there will be some responses this time.

Jacqui

Bambaloos

I am also interested in the answer to this - I had surgery 10 days ago and found out today I have 6/28 lymph nodes positive.  I don't have an appointment until next Monday with my BS, and am anxious to find out if this is really bad news.

renee2010

Thank you

renee2010

How do you fill out the diagnosis

I clicked on it and it didnt do anyhting

daisylego

Lymph involvement does mean that the cancer is more likely to spread, the more extensive the involvement, the more likely the spread. There is some pretty good info here: http://www.breastcancer.org/symptoms/diagnosis/lymph_nodes.jsp

tryn2staycalm

Waiting for the results of my SNB - surgery was yesterday.  Hoping for good news.  To fill out your dx click on my home (in navy at top of board) then click on edit dx.  Best of Luck!

Cathy

Medigal

This is the first time I have heard about any Oncotype test and I had 1/22 nodes (one was positive).

Maybe I'll ask my Onc in November why my former Oncs did not check this out for me.  It's amazing how little some of the Oncs and surgeons tell patients about their diagnosis unless they insist. Maybe they should have someone read this site every day to keep up with what they "should" be doing!!

pj12

I am under the impression that the Oncotype test was designed for ER+, node negative stage 1 or 2 women. It adds to the data to decide to do chemo or not. Since node positive generally means chemo is a standard, then doing an oncotype is superfluous. And expensive e($3500+/-)  There has been some expansion of its use in the last year.

pam 

Medigal

Wow! $3500 for an Oncotype?  No wonder they only do it on those they feel it will help.  Thanks for the info Pam.  I won't bother my Onc then.

pj12

Medigal,

Most insurance companies will pay for it and the company has a program to help financially in certain situations. It is not covered in other countries. Of course the ins co hopes the test will save them a lot on patients who are determined to not need chemo after all.

pam 

grneyd5600

Hi Ladies

I will try and share some of the information that I know about the questions you asked.  I was found to have 4/22 lymph nodes involved when I had my surgery in March.  The BS and Onc told me that because of the invasive type cancer (20 tumors in my right breat - largest was 2.2 cm and smallest was .5 mm) and the fact that I had more than 3 lymph nodes involved I was staged at IIIa.  They did not do the Oncotype test because it is currently only suggested for the lower stage cancers.  It is an indication of the probibility that the cancer could reoccur and therefore is helpful on the determination of whether to use chemo and radition in the treatment of the lessor cancers.  At this time the test is not recommended for the higher more aggressive cancers because the standard of treatment for those type already includes chemo and radiation in most cases. 

Once you get your final pathology reports there is a good section on the website here to help you understand the report.  Go the main home screen and look under the section called "Symptoms & Diagnosis".  There is a section called "Pathology Report"  Very good information on understanding how the stage the cancer and the different grades of tumors, etc. 

For now, all of you hang in there and keep looking through the boards here.  There is lots of information that will ease your mind and help you frame good questions for your BS and your Onc.

ninap7

WHAT WAS YOUR TREATMENT AND HOW ARE YOU DOING NOW I HAVE ONE NODE POSITIVE OUT OF 22

grneyd5600

Nina - I have finished chemo - 4 AC, 12 Taxol treatments and I participated in a clinical trial that added 8 Avistan.  I made out very well through the chemo.  All my blood counts indicate I am doing well.  I finished chemo last week and had MUGA, EKG and bone Density.  Everything was good.  I have a radiation simulation on 11/22 and start 6 1/2 weeks (33 treatments) the week after that. 

 Hopefully you will do well as well.