Not just cancer cells in lymph nodes, but whole tumors

wyllikers

Is this common?  I had a BMX with axillary node disection, and 2 of 18 nodes had macroinvasions.  One of the nodes had a 1.1 cm tumor.  I was under the impression that there may be cells, but not tumors.  Does this raise the chances of distant mets?

SpecialK

I also had a macromet in one node and cells in another, this is more common than you think.  Was there any extracapsular extension of the node(s) or was the tumor contained completely in the node?  I think macromets in the nodes means the cancer had longer to "set up shop" before being found, but I am not sure whether this necessarily means that mets are more likely.  Some people have no positive nodes at all and have mets, others have multiple nodes and don't develop mets, so I don't think the mechanism by which BC spreads and creates distant metastasis, and those odds, are well understood.

edwards750

I also had a micromet in the SN and was told the same thing it is very common; however, it was a surprise to my BS. Had it not been for the Oncotype test I might have had to have chemo but because of my low score I had 33 RADS treatments instead. diane