Only 1 node removed

I only had one node removed. Actually pulled out my path report and it says: "Lymph node, sentinel, biopsy: One benign lymph node, negative for tumor.  Five additional levels unremarkable . . ."

My doctor is considered to be one of the best in NYC and she certainly knows her stuff, so I have absolute faith in her surgical ability and decision to only remove one node. But I agree with Janet, if you are uncomfortable about anything, then get a second opinion. 

I only had one node removed. I think it's fairly common when people have sentinel node biopsies to have only one node removed.

Hi Darla....I had a SNB 1 node removed and negative.

If the sentinel node is negative it means didnt spread to the L Nodes.

HI Darla, My lumpectomy was in August. I had 5 nodes removed and was taken care of at a large cancer center.  In my sentinal node biopsy, I had 2 nodes take up the die and the radioactive substance.  My surgeon took each of those , and then one behind each of those sentinal nodes. My tumor was 1.9 cm but all nodes were negative.  I agree, if you are uncomfortable, seek another opinion.  Its not worth it to worry.

I'll echo what others have said: the whole idea of the Sentinel Node Biopsy is that the dye travels through the breast and lights up at the first (sentinel) lymph node... they remove it while you're under and test it for cancer... if it presents as negative they don't need to remove other nodes (and if it does, they do remove more, all while you are still under).  As it was explained to me, nodes come in clusters, so when that first node does indicate cancer they remove the cluster (which varies in number of lymph nodes by the person -- some have a few, some have many in a single cluster).  As long as the final pathology report shows no evidence of cancer (and they can identify "micromets" so they look for very tiny evidence) there is no reason to go back and remove more.  Don't be afraid to ask your doctors to explain!

4Darla what the others  have said is correct. I did have a sentinel node dissection on the right side were 4 nodes were taken. My BS was very disappointed he had to take 4 but 4 lit up. Sometimes they are so close together that more do light up. Usually a sentinel node dissection is only 1-2 nodes.

On the other side my BS took level I nodes out (10 nodes altogether). They ended up all negative. This is pretty standard with a tumor as big as mine (5.5cm), high grade (grade3) and very fast growing HER2+ tumor. Personally I wish we did a sentinel on that side but statistically with a tumor my size and all the other factors there was like an 80% chance of micro-invasion. I think in your case with a small tumor and Grade 2 that the sentinel is pretty typical/standard care.

BTW the nurse who gave read my path over the phone practically cheered when she read off no nodes. No one was expecting that except me.

My goodness jacee I've never heard of such a thing. Thank goodness your BS could get both, and was able to use the info in decision making.