Despite positive nodes, no more surgery?

determined3

hello everyone,

after my surgery, my bs said that b/c of the + node 1/3 she would be looking at more surgery--for me. then when i met with her and the onc 2 days after that convo. they said based on recent studies, there is no need to go back for more nodes. i will be doing chemo. 

now, i am not writing this to 'get out of' chemo. i will do what i have to do. nor do i want surgery..more surgery. i just wonder HOW they know it is okay not to go back for more nodes. i guess the study answers those ?s, but it is strange that i actually would feel better if they tested more nodes. i feel like if i am going with full chemo, then i want to do my best to make sure that EVERY damn thing is gone? i know that they are docs/experts, but these are my feelings & thoughts.

can you please tell me your exp or thoughts?

thanks.

dlb823

determined, you're fortunate that your BS is up on the latest research!  Doing a full allixary dissection significantly increases your risk of developing lymphedema, and the main reason it's done is simply to verify staging.  Lymph nodes are there for a reason -- to filter out unhealthy stuff, including bc cells. 

Here's a link to the research:  http://jama.ama-assn.org/content/305/6/569.short?rss=1&ssource=mfr   They know it's okay not to do it because this research showed there's no difference in outcome whether they do axillary dissection or not.

How I wish this had been the standard of care back in 2008!      Deanna

determined3

hey deanna---

thank you so much for sharing and responding. every little bit of comfort helps. 

sincerely. 

christine47

determined3,

I was given the option of additional axillary node disection after having one positive node after SNB.  I choose to have the disection, and additional nodes where all negative.  I now wish i would not have as I still have numbness in my arm and my risk of LE is so much higher.  If I had the chance to do it again, I would not have had the axillary node disection.  The study came out one week after my surgery. Hope this helps ease your mind.