Anyone out there with more than 10 nodes positive?

Yes, we are all anatomically unique and our number of nodes will vary based on that uniqueness in addition to the degree of surgical removal the surgeon opts to use.

Here is a fairly comprehensive article on Axillary Lymph Nodes found on the Ganfyd site which is similar to Wikipedia but is specifically a free medical knowledge base and collaborative medical reference by medical professionals and invited non-medical experts.

http://www.ganfyd.org/index.php?title=Axillary_lymph_nodes

The interesting point is that from a strictly anatomical classification they list 6 separate classifications of axillary nodes.  From the surgical viewpoint as it relates to breast cancer surgery, however, they define nodal locations by the term "station"  or  "level" of nodes.  So surgically they refer to 3 levels of axillary nodes. 

Most Sentinel Node biopsies include just those nodes that light up first from the injected dye and possibly any surrounding or suspicious looking nodes in that area.  Typically a sentinel node will be in the Level 1 area of the axilla but not always....again we are all different and the pattern of lymphatic flow will vary in individuals.

In recent years the term "axillary dissection"  is vaguely defined to mean the removal of level 1 and 2 nodes or even just level 1 nodes.  It is really up to the discretion of the surgeon.  Level 3 nodes typically are not removed unless there is known pathology and evidence of very locally advanced disease.

We must remember that our entire bodies are covered by lymphatic vessels and lymph nodes.  Axillary nodes are only one component of our entire lymphatic system.  Even in the case of breast cancer, we have nodes that are considered surgically inoperable because of their location.  These would include the intramammary nodes that can be very near or underneath the breast bone making biopsy and removal difficult if not impossible.

So when it comes to the difference in the nodal counts that we hear reported it can be a factor of how many levels of nodes were removed in addition to the normal anatomical variations between each of us.

I had 23 nodes removed which included my level 3 nodes.  All 23 were found to be positive so my onc and I made the assumption than any nodes left behind were also positive. We have been aggressive in treatments though and are thrilled to be past my 5 year mark still NED! 

Just remember ladies that positive nodes means a well functioning lymphatic and immune system doing its job, capturing and imprisoning those cancer cells that are trying to move out of the breast area. 

I know we would all rather not have any nodes positive.....but we also know 0 nodes is no quarantee that cancer cannot still spread in other ways.  We have heard the story too often of Stage 1 ladies with 0 nodes ending up Stage IV.

I say hurray for a strong lymphatic system and know that our future prognosis is not always "told by the nodes".

Hang in there ladies! 

Lindalou,

 I love how you think!!

"Just remember ladies that positive nodes means a well functioning lymphatic and immune system doing its job, capturing and imprisoning those cancer cells that are trying to move out of the breast area."

 I'd like this as a tattoo on my arm pit!!!

I've got 7 out of 23 positive (to think 7 was once my lucky number) and I've been freaked by it. I just finished chemo AC/taxotere in October and 34 rads in December. I'm on tamoxifen. But this after the treatment stage has been HARD.  Thanks to all the ladies who have responded!! 

Another one for your exclusive club.   I had 8 of 16 axillary nodes positive, with extracapsular extension, plus inoperable nodes in the subclavical and pectoral areas.  Had neo-adjuvant ACx4, followed by Taxol x 4, then mastectomy, then 30 rounds of radiation.  I just started Arimidex about 3 weeks ago.   The docs have not done any more tests since the beginning which is a little disconcerting, but they are saying I don't need them if I don't have symptoms.  Right now, I feel great.

Hi Girls,

 I'm a IIIc member too. I had multi-focal ILC in my right breast. The surgeon didn't think that I had much lymph node involvement before surgery.I had a radical mastectomy in 11/06. I was so shocked when the path report said 19 of 20 nodes positive. I remember, my mom was at my house when I got the call. We just cried and cried.The surgeon then told me that it was ILC. I so wish I had a double mastectomy. I had TAC, followed by 25 rads including superclav, then ooph, and I have been on femara since 8/07. I feel fine. the side effects of femara seem to have worn off the past year. PS. I had melanoma in 2001 and my then onc never said to take Vitamin D, but said stay out of the sun. I have read studies that show people with melanoma are more likely to get breast cancer too.

As I received a private message about this, here is the article for anyone else who may be concerned about COQ10

Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) might increase risk of postmenopausal breast cancer

Last updated: September 19, 2010

News type:

Breast cancer study

Publication:

Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention, September 2010

Study name:

Plasma coenzyme Q10 levels and postmenopausal breast cancer risk: The Multiethnic Cohort Study

Two studies have reported conflicting results with respect to the association of circulating coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) with the risk of breast cancer. Both studies are summarized below. The first study found that U.S. postmenopausal women in the highest third of circulating CoQ10 levels had 1.6 times the risk of breast cancer risk compared to those in the lowest third. The strongest association was found for postmenopausal women under age 60 (3.9 times the risk for the highest versus the lowest thirds).

The second study, based on a Chinese population, reported no association between postmenopausal breast cancer risk and circulating CoQ10. However, premenopausal women in the highest fourth of circulating CoQ10 were found to have a 50% lower risk of breast cancer compared to those in the lowest quartile. Both sets of authors comment that future studies are needed to define the origin of circulating CoQ10, its physiological functioning, and potential role in cancer development and progression.

Implications of the studies

CoQ10 is known to be beneficial for congestive heart failure patients and has been suggested as a treatment during anthracycline chemotherapy to prevent heart damage. The first study results suggest that such treatment would be unwise since it might contribute to breast cancer recurrence. Other antioxidants (for example, beta carotene) have been found to be associated with lower cancer risk when consumed as part of food while promoting cancer when taken as a concentrated supplement. It is possible that the U.S. population with the highest circulating CoQ10 were more likely to achieve this level through supplementation than the Chinese population. While CoQ10 is found throughout the body, it's normal functioning is not well understood. How CoQ10 functions in breast cancer cells has not been determined. Therefore, we would advise against taking CoQ10 supplements based on the available evidence.

Palijo~ we have all been where you are at now. I ended up with a tumour in each breast with 4 + nodes on the left and 5+ on the right....basically 2 stage 3 tumours. I was devastated! I had the mast, chemo, radiation and am now on arimidex. I barely slept initially and was so scared. As I finished the different treatments I realized I was stronger than I thought. I am doing well and looking forward. These boards are an amazing source of support. Best of luck and keep writing!

Hello all-I'm a TN lllcer. In 2006 I had a 9mm tumor removed from my left breast. I also had radiation at the time. Last year they found 15/23 cancerous lymph nodes in my left axilla. I chose only surgery and prayed like crazy it wouldn't come back. Unfortuantely this year I found one of my supraclavicular nodes had swollen to 2cm. That CT showed nothing else....or so I thought. A CT scan taken two weeks later showed a 5cm tumor in my axilla. How the flip did they miss that??? So grumpy...anyway I am on chemo now. 6 lots of Abraxane have shrunk the node but not touched the tumor-makes my mind boggle how that happens! So now I have to try another chemo-A/C. Will be trying that in a couple of weeks....any advice would be greatly appreciated! xoxo

Gillyone: Was just wondering the same, will i be able to stop thinking of this only for an hour. Well, life must go on, but sometimes it`s not that easy.

About check-ups: Did you got pet-scan after your treatments? I had ct scan right after my surgery and bone scan, and they were both clear..

Janda, after surgery I had a head MRI, CT scan, and bone scan - all clear. Then chemo and rads. My onc is in the no scans unless symtoms camp and so since finishing treatment, I see my onc every three months (next week!) and have not seen rads onc since finishing rads, or surgeon since post-op check up.

Hi all,

Just approach my 3 years of everything.  Surgery anniversary will be March 5.  10/21 positive nodes and triple negative and still hanging in there.  I did AC/Taxol and radiation.   Also a bi-laterial mastectomy.  We through everything at it available and so far so good.

Lisa

Hi Tammy,

 I had 16 positive nodes, a mastectomy, a bone marrow transplant and  radiation. I was 43. That was14 years ago. I'm doing great, no sign of disease. Didn't think I'd see my children grown. I was the mother of the bride last year! There have been so many great strides in treatment since then. I took Tamoxifen for 6 years, along with Bonefos (for ten years). I now take Femara and am on a tetrathiomolybdate clinical trial. I joined the trial because I wouldn't be here if not for other women in other trials.  

You can get past this.