Axillary lymph-help me understand

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Polyana
Polyana Member Posts: 200
edited June 2014 in Just Diagnosed With a Recurrence or Metastasis
Axillary lymph-help me understand
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  • Polyana
    Polyana Member Posts: 200
    edited July 2010

    Hi,

    I want to know, how long can a lymph trap or hold cancer cells. I understand that lymph nodes work as filters and thus they are able to trap infection, cancer cells. So is there any rule for how long a lymph can trap cancer cells and do not let them move else where in the body.

    I was told only if the lymph  are grouped together then it is a worry. As well my doctor told me that my lymph was baby lymph and mobile not sticking to the skin. Does that mean I have a good chance or not.

    My last question any one out here in this forum who had an undiagnosed tumor for several years with out being met.

    Thanks and I do appreciate your contribution.

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  • hrf
    hrf Member Posts: 3,225
    edited July 2010

    I don't think I can answer your question. In my case, I had 4 lymph nodes affected - they were mobile and not sticking - doctor didn't think that made my prognosis better/worse ... she said "unfortunately" there were 4 lymph nodes and that brings down the odds. She never said anything about it being a "trap" ... having lymph nodes affected is worse than not having lymph nodes affected but it seems that everyone is different - some people have many nodes affected and following treatment are NED for many, many years. Others with only 1 node (or even no nodes) progress quickly. This disease doesn't seem to follow any rules that I can understand.

    Best wishes. I'm sure others will offer more specific responses to your questions.

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  • LRM216
    LRM216 Member Posts: 2,115
    edited July 2010

    I think hrf said it all.  Don't obsess over the nodes being positive. It's all a crapshoot and there are no rules.  I had no node involvement, but I have seem many others with no nodes involved go on to progress and some with positive nodes - never progress.  Just do whatever is necessary to fight this beast - use every gun in the arsenal - and then all you or any of us can do, is know that we gave it our best shot.  I wish you nothing but the best.

    Linda

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  • TriciaK
    TriciaK Member Posts: 362
    edited July 2010

    I agree, I have a friend who had 22 nodes affected and is celebrating 23 years out this year and never had a recurrance:)

    I had three affected and so far so good and I'm five years out.

    I dont think there's an answer to your queston as although it's rare cancer can travel through the bloodstream also so having no nodes affected is good, but no guarantee!

    Tricia x

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  • chrissyb
    chrissyb Member Posts: 16,818
    edited July 2010

    I had no nodes involved but had mets dx'd last year after 5 years free. chrissyb

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  • cbm
    cbm Member Posts: 475
    edited July 2010

    Polyana--I had one lymph node involved and it was a doozy--2cm and overtaken by malignant cells.  It was larger than the tumor in my breast.  It had been enlarged for several years (noted in my mammogram reports which I had never seen before my diagnosis and request for all my records), and I imagine had been catching cancer cells for about that long.  But who knows?  My doctors all agreed that about 5 mammograms had failed to catch my breast cancer.  The nodes had been noted as enlarged for 3 of those years, I think.  Mine was also mobile.  But I never had even a Birads 4 or a callback, and had always gone to the same radiology group and the same gynecologist had received the report, and done my clinical exams.

    It's the job of the nodes to catch what they can catch, but cancer travels through other channels and vessels if it chooses to.   Linda is right--no rules.

    I was not offered radiation because I chose a bilateral mx, and only had one node.  However, I'm not sure I would ask for rads based on what I know now.  I am getting a second year of Herceptin, largely because of the size of that node.

    Cathy 

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