questions about nodes

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GODISGOOD2012
GODISGOOD2012 Member Posts: 63
edited June 2014 in IDC (Invasive Ductal Carcinoma)
I too have additional questions about my procedure. I had both insitu and invasive ductal carcinoma. I didn't ask my surgeon this, but I think I will.  Here is the question I have about the nodes.  On my right side, where the cancer was found, they took 9 nodes.  On the left side, where there was only a mass and not biopsied prior to surgery, they took 3 nodes.  My question is this.  Did they find cancer in the first three nodes on the right side and that is why they took more or did they just do this for precaution???  My right arm has had its problems with a "chorded" vein and I experience pain syndrome in my lat. muscle. I guess this worries me because, it was not recommended for me to have chemo and have been put on tamoxifen only. I realize my doctor is the only one to really answer this question, but I thought I would ask here and get input from this forum.
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  • fredntan
    fredntan Member Posts: 1,821
    edited May 2012

    The cording isnt a vein. Its actually lymphatic vessel. I had that and its finally gone away:-)



    get a referral to pt and they can show you exercizes to strengthen arm and help with the pain you are feeling in arm/muscle



    I am not so sure about why he took the nodes. I had axillary bx before and we knew beforehand they would take the nodes.



    What matters most is your final path& it looks like he got good margins. Its a lot to worry about





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  • ma111
    ma111 Member Posts: 1,376
    edited May 2012

    Only the doctor can tell you if there was cancer in the nodes, or get a path report from medical records. Taking more nodes on the cancer side is normal to try to remove all the cancer. The more they take the more likely you are to get lymphedema. They probably thought that the mass was not cancer or of a lesser grade so took less nodes to put you at a lower risk for lymphedema.

    For any lymphedema or cording you can get PT at the same time as radiation or soon after radiation.

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  • GODISGOOD2012
    GODISGOOD2012 Member Posts: 63
    edited May 2012

    Thanks fredntan and ma111.  Actually the arm with the chording problem and softened and has full range and motion again.  My doctor had originally told me that he would take the first few sentinal nodes only on both arms.  It doesn't indicate any cancer was found in any of the nodes.  I was just currious to see if he took more because he was just being safe or if the first few didn't check out.  I will see him again in June and will ask him.  Thanks for the help.

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