Lymph node Removal

hollygirl8900

I recently had a mastetomy. The first time I had invasive ductal carcinoma was in 1998. I had a lumpectomy with 17 nodes removed. Node negative. Just had a mastectomy because I had cancer come back in same breast .Now two masses plus an area of DCIS..The surgeon opted not to remove nodes this time. He cited the risks, scar tissue, etc. But, he said that they would treat the cancer going forward"as if" it had already spread. However now considering the chemo treatment, I have agreed to the onco type testing to see if chemo would be indicated. I have been through chemo twice in 14 years. I really don't want to deal with it again if it's not necessary. But, wouldn't not sampling lymph nodes determine that I should go ahead with chemo.? Or would clear margins and a low onco score( if that is the case), be enough?

MTwoman

I'm not sure about that hollygirl, but just wanted to say SO sorry you've found yourself back here. Maybe someone else who has better information can answer your questions. I'm sending you light and hugs and hoping for a low onco score!!

Chris13

The oncotype will show if chemo is beneficial. If low, chemo is not very effective.

lalady1

Hi Hollygirl - sorry to read you have a recurrance. Agree with Chris13 and also important is whether cancer is ER/PR+ and HER- or not. Chemo is better on some types, not so much on others. Please get a second opinion if you can. Can you complete your profile (which meds you had, what type of cancer you had and now have) so we can weigh in better?

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Denise-G

I would recommend a second opinion at an NCI Designated Cancer Center...

https://www.cancer.gov/research/nci-role/cancer-ce...

Although I have not been in your shoes with a recurrence, myself, my mom and sister were all diagnosed

within 3 years. We all had conflicting reports at local hospitals until we got to a large cancer center that

has a Tumor Board to make recommendations.

Sending all my best to you!

wallan

Hi hollygirl:

So sorry to hear your cancer has recurred. I know what you are going thru, because my cancer recently recurred as well. Two tumors in the opposite breast. My mastectomy is scheduled for march 8th.

I have been treated a little different from you. I did have a sentinel node biopsy on Feb 10 and am awaiting results from that. I will get them on Feb 21.

I was told my cancer is a new primary cancer, not a recurrance of my previous cancer. I had stage 3a IDC 13 years ago with positive nodes. I had all the treatments then. Mastectomy, axillary node dissection, chemo, radiation, hysterectomy, oophorectomy and hormone therapy.

Now my surgeon tells me my new primary cancer is small and I will likely not need any chemo or radiation. They are treating it like a brand new early stage cancer. They did the SNB to check for positive nodes. If its positive, I will need chemo/rads. If negative, the surgeon said I will not need chemo or rads, just a mastectomy. I wonder about this because of the stage and treatment of my previous cancer and I ask myself if treating this new cancer as a new early stage cancer is the best way to go. So, I will have my mastectomy and I am pushing for the oncotype test. I haven't seen an oncologist yet, but I will be sure I am referred even if the nodes are negative. Its my surgeon telling me everything right now.

I have researched about cancer recurring in the other breast, and to me, I am not finding consistent recommendations or guidelines. So if you find out anything, let me know.

hugs to you

wallan

Outfield

I second the recommendation to get a second opinion, for two reasons. First, although I don't know the answer to your question, I do know you now are out of the heavily-trod paths of the usual treatment algorithms and it makes sense to see the best experts you can see. Second, it sounds a little odd to me that your surgeon is the one who is telling you about chemotherapy, since for breast cancer surgeons don't generally manage the chemo.

I'm assuming your tumours were very small.