Sentinel node questions

bhnath10

I just had the sentinel node procedure done. They found the sentinel node itself was pos with a macro metastasis. The other two nodes were negative. They did an axillary dissection. I am wondering if I should anticipate more nodes coming back when we get results from the others they took out? Has anyone else ever had some negative nodes at time of sentinel but had more positive ones from the axillary nodes?

sewingnut

My Sn biopsy was done at the time of MX.  The Dr didn't like the look of the ones that lit up so he did an axilllary at that time.  One was + the rest  negative.

bhnath10

I just noticed on your profile that you are stage 3A. Without nodes, how did they classify you that way?

stephanie1

This is probably not news you want to hear but you asked if someone had it happen.  

I had two of three sentinal nodes comes back positive for cancer. They removed 15 additional axillary nodes and one of those was positive was cancer.

This is where I got my 3/18 positive

Rockym

My SN was negative during surgery, but my BS wanted to take a few more since my cancer was at 3:00 on my left breast and so close to my axillary lymph nodes.  I was all happy after surgery with my negative SN report.  Final path showed micromets in 2 of the other 5 lymph nodes.  I even had my tissue sent to Johns Hopkins for a 2nd opinion because I never heard of a SN being negative and then others were positive.  Needless to say, chemo starts Monday :-(.

Elizabeth1889

Rockym:  Good luck during your chemo.  I had four rounds of TC and it really was not bad.  Wishing you a very mild side effect experience.

SpecialK

I had an initial negative SNB in the OR during my BMX which was later called "less than 20 cell cluster" or micromet on post-op path.  My BS and MO both insisted on a subsequent complete node dissection, even though I was very resistant.  Eleven additional nodes were taken with only one more positive node, but it had a 6mm area of cancer.  I asked my BS later, after I was done with chemo, what percentage of positive nodes of that size are eliminated by chemo and he said 60%.  I did not have rads due to BMX.

Claire_in_Seattle

Should you anticipate more nodes coming back positive???  Not necessarily.  I had a grossly positive sentinal node, but no others.  This was amazing news, but the sentinal node did its job.

Wishing you the best of luck with what follows.  Yes, chemo most likely, but we get through that.  I had a lumpectomy BTW and I am just fine 2 years later.  Did a 43 mile easy ride cycling with a friend today.  Actually, am more fit than ever. YAY!!!

Hang in there.  The more active you can be during this time, the easier time you will have.  Just as a reminder. 

Really hoping it is only the sentinal. - Claire

Rockym

SpecialK, That 60% statistic sounds troubling to me.  I was told the chemo would zap any and all positive cancers floating around in the body and then when chemo was done, radiation (I had a lumpectomy) would get rid of any other stuff that was more local.  In the end, hormone therapy would keep anything from growing since I am ER+PR+.

I wonder if your docs gave you that info because of the HER2+, but it still seems like a way high possible number to be left in you.