Unsuccessful axillary node mapping. Thrown for another loop!

Cjzach10

Posting in this forum and hoping to hear from someone. As my appt with the MO gets closer I'm having high anxiety.

After recieving my pathology report from my lymph node dissection, bmx and diep flap reconstruction, i find out no lymph nodes were found. As in none of my lymph nodes showed dye or radioactive tracer uptake. The breast surgeon took a section of axillary tissue hoping to get a few lymph nodes but it was only adipose tissue. My first appointment with the oncologist is Dec 17. They are doing the oncotype diagnostic test to see if chemo will benefit me based on my cancer type. It was er/pr positive and her2 negative. Has anyone else had this happen? And if so did you have to have chemo in addition to tamoxifen or one of the other drugs for hormone receptive cancer? Once again I'm playing the waiting game and very nervous. I've read 2 articles about studies done on patients with unsuccessful axillary node mapping and both resulted in higher incidence of node involvement in this group of patients. Any input is greatly appreciated! Thanks in advance!

sbelizabeth

During my initial lumpectomy, no uptake of the dye or radioactive tracer occurred. My surgeon felt around the axillary area until she found a small firm thickening, and sent that for frozen section during surgery. It was malignant. Apparently cancer had so filled the sentinel node that it was unable to take up dye or tracer. My surgeon did an axillary clearance and 26 nodes were removed, 6 of them with cancer.

At the same time, dye and tracer mapping can be unsuccessful for other reasons, so I don't mean to unnecessarily scare you!

Salamandra

I wonder whether they might do radiation on your lymph nodes. Apparently that's starting to be considered a better alternative to axillary lymph node removal - not inferior results and better se profile.

I think it's definitely worth following up with a second opinion and until you get a full understanding that lets you make informed decisions.

Cjzach10

sbelizabeth im praying thats not the case but what ive read is making me pretty stressed about it. I've had a small stroke..of unknown cause..and with chemo stroke risk is higher.

Salamadra i would feel better about radiation except that it could damage the diep flap tissue. If i dont get the answers I need i will be getting a second opinion!

Thank you both for responding. Everyones support makes all this seem a little more bearable.