How do they check axillary nodes post-SNB?

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Sonnet
Sonnet Member Posts: 28
edited June 2014 in Just Diagnosed With a Recurrence or Metastasis

I had BMX in January 2011 along with bilateral sentinel node biopsy - nodes were 0/5 on both sides.  I now have what I'm hoping is only a local recurrence - 8 mm lump next to my scar on the left side.  At this point I only have the preliminary path report back - "it's cancer" - but no info yet on ER/PR/Her, etc.  Later today I am having a PET/CT - my first - which I understand is supposed to find any mets.  But from what I have read over the weekend, it seems that PET scans are not very reliable when it comes to the axillary nodes.  Does anybody know anything about this? I assume they'll probably do ultrasound at some point, but are there other ways to check the nodes?  Post-SNB, do I now have "new" sentinel nodes that can be biopsied at surgery?  Or am I doomed to the dreaded complete axillary node dissection?  Any help would be very welcome!

Thanks, Sonnet

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  • jacee
    jacee Member Posts: 1,384
    edited May 2012

    Sonnet, the way I understand it, yes, there would be a different sentinel node for a recurrence. The sentinel node will be the first one that the tumor drains to. It could be axillary, or somewhere else. One of my sentinel nodes was an internal mammary node. So you may not be doomed for an axillary node disection.

    I don't know about monitoring lymph nodes, as I had mine removed on one side. Just physical exam for me so far.

    Hoping you get a clean PET report!!

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  • allisontom911
    allisontom911 Member Posts: 425
    edited May 2012

    I found 2 lumps under my arm a couple weeks ago just by self exam. then the surgeon found another lump. Had surgery last Tuesday and all 3 were cancer again. My path report does not say anything about lymphnodes.  they just remove the tissue and text. I have a meeting tomorrow with the surgeon to discuss details.

    I had a brain MRI Friday, CT scans and bone scan today. Waiting for results before we discuss what chemo i have to do again.

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