Lymph node involvement

Margaret67

so confused....had my masectomy Monday...amd received my pathology report today..11 nodes removed 2 were microscopic positive but the sentinel node was clear? How or why is this possible...will I need radiation

Triple negative BC so chemo in 4 weeks

gb2115

Hmm... I wonder if the cells cleared the sentinel node but then got caught in others? Yeah, the presence of cancer in the nodes will probably send you to radiation after the chemo. I wouldn't be surprised. I had one positive node and they radiated the axillary nodes plus the ones under my collarbone just in case. But they will eventually send you to a radiation oncologist for consult, so see what they say?

But I don't know if it's a guarantee. Anyone out there have positive nodes but didn't need rads?

Suzanne50

I had 3/12 nodes positive - one sentinal and two axiliary - all microscopic. I had a mastectomy, chemo and radiation. There was some controversy whether or not I needed the radiation. I got several second opinions and in the end, I went ahead with it.

Margaret67

Thanks for the info...my radiologist initially said that if less than 5 nodes were clear no radiation necessary ...but I assume that will change with the sentinel being clear. Hopefully the radiation if necessary won't interfere with reconstruction