Lymb node removal dilemma

ESCORPION

Hi All

Hoping everyone is doing well.

I am searching for some advise or

Has anyone has been in a similar situation

I need advice wherever or not remove active Lymb node in my right arm.

Litle of my history:

I am diagnosed with....metastatic breast cancer to bones. Triple positive

Currenly taking Katcyla and zometa for bones

Right Lymb node history:

I first discovered my original cancer diagnosis because of this Lymb node which set me on my cancer journey.

(Cancer didn't grow it in my breast metastatic from the beginning)

The second time the same Lymb node appears again and then we change of medication( herceptin to Katcyla)due to progression

I recently had a full CT scan and bone scan.

The overall results are encouraging.


There was no progression reported, however I have a small growth/enlarged lymph node in my right arm pit. ( 3.8x 3 cm)

My dilemma is that My actual oncologist is suggesting that I should remove the re-occurring enlarged lymph in ‎my RIGHT arm pit.

( he thinks that I AM stable except for the Lymb node) he suggesting remove the Lymb and continue with Katcyla .

However, I am concerned that if I have it removed the cancer may spread to other parts of my body since It no longer has a place to return to or show (I personal think that maybe the Lymb node is keeping the cancer to go to others parts

I feel like the Lymb node is the one who is telling me that medication work or not or if the cancer is Coming back.

I did have a second opinion a while ago and the second oncologist told me that I shouldn't

removed it because if I do remove it and the cancer came back there where no place that it will show ...

But also afraid that if I keep it it will be came more aggressive.

So should I remove it...or not... And possibles consequences

Thanks in advance for your answers.

DivineMrsM

Escorpion, I can only give you my experience. When I was diagnosed with mbc from the get-go, with mets to the bones, I had no lymph node involvement. Nothing showed up in the MRI. It was invasive lobular carcinoma, a tumor about 2x3 gnarled inches in size. (Felt gnarled under the skin).

I had neoadjuvant chemo (meaning before surgery) which shrunk the tumor quite a bit. I then had a lumpectomy. The surgeon wanted to do a sentinel node biopsy. I said no. I did not think was it necessary. I had read on this forum some reasoning about not needing it done at stage iv. Its been a long time ago since I read up on it, so I don't remember all the reasons. I think part of it was as you mention, why invade the lymph system and possibly allow the cells to spread? I felt good about being assertive and saying no to the procedure.

After chemo and lumpectomy, I had 33 rounds of radiation. All that took close to a year, and I have been on arimidex for about six years now with no progression. I cannot say definitively if keeping the sentinel node in tack has anything to do with my long stretch of stability. I think there are numerous reasons for my good response, and that just very well might be one of them.

In the end, it is your body. Do more research if you are undecided. Of course, posing the question here is part of your research. Then go with what you believe to be the right course of action. In some ways, I do not believe there's a right or wrong answer. It's a matter of which path you chose to follow.

ESCORPION

divineMrM:

Thanks You For your info, really apreciate