Can Negative Nodes still result in Mets or Recur?

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tulipbebe
tulipbebe Member Posts: 85

Just wondering if there is anyone with negative sentinel node down with recur or mets?

Comments

  • everyminute
    everyminute Member Posts: 1,805
    edited March 2009

    Unfortunately anything can happen - it is less likely but is possible.

  • lexislove
    lexislove Member Posts: 2,645
    edited March 2009

    Tulip...

    Cancer cells can unfortunatly travel through the blood stream as well. So the answer to your questions is "YES".

    thats why chemo is given. In Dr. susan Loves Breast Book she stated that 30% of patients with negative lymph nodes will develop a recurrence of some kind. But I look at it..70% won't!!! Smile

  • swimfan
    swimfan Member Posts: 81
    edited March 2009

    Yep...unfortunatley I 'm living proof of negative sentinel nodes...but may I emphasize that I am LIVING!

  • smithlme
    smithlme Member Posts: 1,322
    edited March 2009

    I was node negative and didn't recur or have mets...I had a new primary, on the other side, 7 1/2 months after ending chemo. Two mastectomies later I found out I am BRCA 2+. Anything is possible with cancer...

    Linda

  • idaho
    idaho Member Posts: 1,187
    edited March 2009

    We are so glad you are still here.  Sounds like you are one tough cookie.  Yes anything is possible with cancer.  Hang in there- love your t-shirt!  Tami

  • LisaSDCA
    LisaSDCA Member Posts: 2,230
    edited March 2009

    Yes, indeed metastasis can take place with clear nodes. I had a great prognosis with my early stage BC with a smallish tumor and clear nodes. But I had initial signs of mets to the brain less than a year out of chemo.

    My late sister's tumor was only ~8mm and it metastasized to her brain in nine months, despite having clear nodes - 0/12. Sometimes even a tiny tumor can still be very aggressive.

    There are no guarantees. You have to live while you're alive and kickin'!

    Lisa

  • tulipbebe
    tulipbebe Member Posts: 85
    edited March 2009

    Lisa SDCA - So sorry to hear that.  Think now with Tyreab (sp?) it can penetrate the brain. 

  • dutchgirl1
    dutchgirl1 Member Posts: 9
    edited March 2009

    Yes it can My best friend was cancer free for nine years no nodes involved Did have mets to the hips and ribs Again ok for 9 years    now a new cancer in the pancreas and mets to the brain

  • sian
    sian Member Posts: 23
    edited May 2009

    Hi

    I was diagnosed 5 years ago ILC I had a full axillary clearance, nodes all negative.  This year I have a recurrence in my axilla, they think a lymph node that was left behind during the original surgery.

    It is very unlikely though, and I think it's worth taking the negative nodes as a good indicator it should not come back.

    all the best

    Jane 

  • ElaineD
    ElaineD Member Posts: 2,265
    edited May 2009

    Sadly, yes, it does indeed happen. There are so many ways this sneaky diisease can find a way to survive. But we just have to be vigilant, and learn to live with uncertainties. That's not to suggest we should drive ourselves into a panic over every ache or pain-if we do that, we really are allowing the cancer to win, as it would dominate our lives-something I have vowed not to do. Obviously there are times when concerns do arise-at whatever stage of being "stable"/NED we may be. I was diagnosed with mets 12 years after primary diagnosis-with only several positive nodes, so I felt my chance of recurrence was theoretically small. I completely agree with Sherri-statistics are pretty useless in establishing who may/may not be at risk. 

  • tulipbebe
    tulipbebe Member Posts: 85
    edited May 2009

    I marvel at how BC survivors get their lifes back together. 

    How do they deal with issues like having another child, or spending $ to get a grad degree not know how long we can live, or buy a house and not worrying about who's gonna support the mortgage if something happens to us and ...........more?

  • hollyann
    hollyann Member Posts: 2,992
    edited May 2009

    Tulip, just like everybody else, we just keep on going...None of us are guaranteed a tomorrow.....Whether we ar BC survivors or just your average Joe......We all just go on living...And that is the key word...LIVING.......We learn to live with this disease whether we are stage 0 or stage IV........If we dwell on bc then bc wins and we will NOT let bc win!....Not if we can help it.......You have to learn to go on with your life and deal with things as they come not as you think of them......I myself take it one day at a time.....I try not to let the thought of recurrence sneak into my thoughts.....I am so far NED (No Evidence of Disease)..And I hope to stay that way til I die of old age....I wish you the best of luck tulip......Try not to dwell on it all the time.......I know it is hard not to at first but as time goes on you learn how to manage your fears.......

  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited May 2009

    Hollyann----PERFECTLY said!!!!!

    Live for today, look forward to tomorrow is a saying that I try to keep in mind...

    Yes I know all the nasty cancer stuff cant and probably will creep back into my life at some point but I dealt with it this time and I will deal with it again when the need be....(say probably will and the need be due to all but a couple of dads family passing with some kind of cancer, so Ive always felt I would have cancer at some point)....

    We just gotta keep putting on foot in front of the other and smile at the things that give us joy today!!!!

    Hugs

    Jule

  • Brenda_R
    Brenda_R Member Posts: 509
    edited May 2009

    I had a negative sentinal node. All my axillary nodes were negative, but I had a positive inframammary node in my chest. It couldn't be removed, but was targeted during rads and I had A/C chemo.  Since my lump was on the inner side of the breast, the CA cells went to the IM node chain instead of axillary nodes. 

    Just saying that sometimes sentinal nodes can be clear, but CA goes another route.

    I have not recurred up to now. 

  • nancypat
    nancypat Member Posts: 511
    edited May 2009

    I have megoblastic anemia which is treatable but terminal.  But, I intend to live until I die.  That is why I chose to do chemo because one postitive node was enough for me to know the cancer could be anywhere.  We don't know our future but one has to hope.

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