Did you lymph nodes show on imaging?

_Ann_

Did you lymph nodes show on imaging?

_Ann_

Hi,

It was hard to figure out where this question goes.  I have four axillary lymph nodes showing as abnormal on PET/CT scan, with a palpable lump.  FNA biopsy confirmed malignancy.  So I am sure I am node positive, but I'm having neoadjuvant chemo, so I will not get an accurate node count from surgery.   I wondered if anyone who had surgery first can tell me:

Did your nodes show on imaging?  How many?  Was the actual count after surgery a lot higher?  

coraleliz

I had a palpable node. 2 nodes showed up as rounded on my MRI. 2 nodes positive on pathology. I had my PET scan after my BMX with SNB & no further nodes "lit up".

kyliet

I had none show up positive on my scans, but had 1 positive sentinel node. Then I had a full clearance with 2 more positive with ECE and lymph channel invasion.  On a +ve note my surgeon and onc's opinion is that it has all been taken out with surgery, so not to stress about nodes. x 

Kathy044

I had a palpable node, malignacy confirmed by FNA biopsy. MRI before surgery showed only the one metastatic enlarged node but the report mentioned "but there are a couple of additional nodes which are prominent in terms of signal on the STIR sequence and may harbor metastatic disease including one deep in the axilla behind the pectoral muscle...". However no one ever said anything to me about these extra findings, so I assumed they were not considered important enough to investigate further. I had axillary clearance at the time of lumpectomy, 15 nodes taken, only the original palpable node was positive containing a 1.5cm tumour, nearly as large as the central mass of the breast tumour.

_Ann_

Thanks Kathy, my palpable node is large too, over 2 cm on imaging.  Your story gives me reason to hope that big palpable nodes doesn't always mean a high count.   I'd sure be annoyed if nobody discussed those MRI findings with me.   

ivylynn

My surgeon said my nodes were clear until I had the lumpectomy and node biopsy. Two axillary turned up positive on the pathology report so there's a major change in my treatment plan.

NatsFan

Like Kathy, I had a large palpable node that was also confirmed positive by fine needle biopsy a few days prior to surgery.  I had a BMX with full Level I/II ALND - 15 nodes removed.  I was sure given the size of the palpable node that others would be positive.  However, the only positive one was the original huge one.  None of the others were positive.  So that node did its duty and "took the hit". 

Letlet

My nodes were clear on scans...after surgery 6 were positive.

Kay-in-NH

I had no prominent nodes on my MRI, and during my second wide margin surgery.  I had two sentinels and four other lymph nodes removed - all clean / negative. Dana Farber said I will not need Chemo, but I'll be undergoing extended radiation (6 1/2 weeks, including the booster week, starting mid August 2012).  Meanwhile, I've detected a palpable lump which is not going away under my axillary armpit incision, which is making me VERY Worried!  I hope I do not need a third surgery.  Any advise?

_Ann_

Kay-in-NH, I'd be worried too.  Get it checked out.  You might not necessarily need surgery.  My largest node was biopsied with ultrasound guided fine needle aspiration.   It was even easier than the core needle biopsy.

markat

Ann, my positive nodes showed up on the scans. After my chemo, and at my bmx, surgeon took 2 sentinel, and 2 axillary and they all were negative. So I guess the chemo worked there. It still confuses me.