Anyone else had a small tumour with many lymph nodes involved?

Hello...sorry you are going through this. I had what they thought was just DCIS, but luckily they did sentinel node biopsy. Dr. Found two nodes with micromets. Invasive tumor was only .5 mm. But it was grade 3..very aggressive. D took out 3 more nodes that were clear. But they were surprised to find pos. Nodes at all. Some big tumors are quiet and some tiny ones are crazy and like to spread. I hope someone else can chime in. And give you advice. I was agressive with tx. I am Brca 2 pos. as well. I hope all goes well for you.

I had a smallish tumor (1.5-1.7 cm.) with one grossly involved node (it showed up on the US and was biopsied, so I've known about it all along). I'm surprised yours weren't IDed prior to surgery and I am really shocked that you're not only still waiting on your pathology report but also for such basic info as your HR and HER2 status. That must be horrible.

You're probably correct that your treatment will be pretty aggressive. I hope it is also extremely effective. Good luck with all of it.

Thanks, Kornelia, for your good wishes.

So far as we know, the neoadjuvant Femara has been very effective. A repeat biopsy after 1 month on Femara showed that the replication rate had dropped from 43% to 4% and both the tumor and node were shrinking. My last US (February) showed a normal cortex to the node as well as shrinkage of the tumor. Neither the node nor the tumor have been palpable since that time. However, the real proof will be in the pathology report, of course.

I was supposed to have surgery last week and came down with a bug and had to postpone until 6 May, much to my chagrin. My surgeon will remove the marked node (it has a clip in it) and one or two more and have a frozen section done during surgery. If all is clear no more nodes come out. If there's residual disease she'll make a decision at that time as to how to proceed.

I won't be celebrating though until we get the path. report - and I hope that won't take forever! After surgery I'll have to do radiation, then Femara for 10 (or more) years. Crossing my fingers that chemo won't be needed but, again, that's dependent on the path. report, the PEPI score and maybe the Oncotype.

It is hard, hard, hard to wait isn't it, particularly when you kind of suspect what might be ahead but really don't know. I will be thinking of you on the 6th and will look forward to an update after your consultation. If you can, do try to tape your consult (your smart phone or a little recorder can be your best friend during all of this). It's so helpful to be able to concentrate on what your MO is saying and on your own questions rather than trying to take notes and missing things. Going back to listen again later has been an enormous help to me.

In the meantime, take good care of yourself and come here anytime you need some tea and sympathy or a chance to vent. I hope you are healing well and regaining your strength. We had a lovely day here in Oregon today and I hope you did, too, and that you got to enjoy it despite everything. It WILL get better - it takes time, but hang in there and let us help.

eaglemom....I also had a Grade 1 tumor. It was 5 mm, but had spread to 2 different lymph node chains...the axillary and internal mammary node( near sternum. I had 3 nodes positive total. Like you I was shocked! My tumor was ER/PR +, HER2-. Everything about my tumor was the most favorable characteristics, yet it was on the move. I had a double Mx and axillary node disection. As well, my surgeon was able to remove the IMN node. I had 6 months of chemo (AC/T), followed by 37 radiation treatments. I just finished 5 years of Femara. I had a delayed DIEP flap reconstruction.Ijust passed my 6 year mark!! I know you are very overwhelmed right now. The more info you get, the better. And once a plan is in place, you will feel better. You can do this!! If I can be of any help, please let me know! Hugs!

Kornelia, good luck tomorrow.I hope your consult is VERY productive and helpful. I've only been on Femara for 7 months but have had virtually no issues with it. I'm looking at 10 years on it and that doesn't bother me in the least. It's very much hit and miss of course, but if you do get it I hope you do well with it as well.

Hello Ladies: I just want to wish everyone here well in your treatment plan. I really love this place reading and learning about everyone's cancer and how you are all coping with it....this forum page is the best....most everyone's helping and supporting each other, and being positive at all times. Thank you again.

lulu, if it just stays just 1lymph node do you think you might be able to escape chemo?

I get my surgical report today. Good luck Lulu. Keep us posted !

PatRN10-good luck with your surgical results. Hope all is well. I'm hoping my results will be in by next Wed for my first post op appointment.

Keep us posted...

I had a small tumor, but it did go crazy in my nodes! Twenty-five of them! 2 were bigger than a golf ball, and others were mashed together, and just a mess! I am still here!

Pat, that is great!