small tumor but too many lymph nodes

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tzoul
tzoul Member Posts: 19
edited June 2017 in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer

Good evening

I was recently (March 2017) diagnosed with TNBC, stage IIIb as I had a tumor of 2 cm and 22 / 28 lypmh nodes positive. I cannot stop thinking of that. I suppose that my tumor wasn't that big but the number of my lymph nodes was not expected. I was wondering if other people had the same and (a) what explanations did they reveive from their oncologists and (b) what should we expect. Is the reccurrence unavoidable?


I am on chemotherapy already and I also have had a left mastectomy

thank you all
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  • Moderators
    Moderators Member Posts: 25,912
    edited June 2017

    hi gepapadop and welcome to Breastcancer.org!

    We're sorry you find yourself here, but really glad you found us. Our Community is an incredible source of information, advice, and support. You're sure to get many answers here soon!

    Thanks for posting and we hope to hear more from you soon!

    --The Mods

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  • MinusTwo
    MinusTwo Member Posts: 16,634
    edited June 2017

    Go to My Profile and post your diagnosis and treatment to date, then we will be better able to respond. Sounds like you are ER/PR negative & HER2 negative. What is your stage, what chemo are you taking, did you have an oncotype test? What is the plan going forward? Sorry you've had to join us.

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  • ElaineTherese
    ElaineTherese Member Posts: 3,328
    edited June 2017

    MinusTwo is right; it helps if you fill out your profile. But it is unlikely that gepapadop would have had an oncotype test if she were triple negative. gepapadop, have you had an MRI, bone scan, or PET scan? If those scans didn't show that your cancer had spread beyond your lymph nodes, then just focus on finishing chemo. Many compromised lymph nodes is bad news, to be sure, but as long as there is no indication of mets, then just focus on doing what you can to avoid recurrence. ((Hugs))

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  • tzoul
    tzoul Member Posts: 19
    edited June 2017

    Thank you for your replies.

    I just filled my profile. Hope this helps. I am triple negative, stage IIIb and I have no recurrence so far (everything was clear after surgery and I just finished my first trimester check, also clear).

    Please let me know for any other similar cases (how did you respond etc). I cannot stop thinking of the lymph nodes (22!)

    I have a two year little boy....Do I have any chance to get over it?

    thank you


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  • xxyzed
    xxyzed Member Posts: 230
    edited June 2017

    I had multifocal IDC. There was a DCIS patch about 3cm and four small tumours. The largest was 6mm, then 4 mm and the other two were 2mm. So all tiny cancers but I had 20/20 lymph nodes cancerous. The reason why I found the cancer was a 2.5 cm lymph node that was cancerous. My surgeon said he had seen this a bit recently and it meant a very aggressive cancer type. Mine is her2 positive and I am 12 months from diagnosis. The 20/20 freaked me out and means a high risk of recurrence but at the same time very aggressive normally means very responsive to chemo. I just cross my fingers and hope for the best

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  • MinusTwo
    MinusTwo Member Posts: 16,634
    edited June 2017

    gepapa - So have you finished your chemo? Are your docs recommending rads? Are you at a major cancer center? Do you trust your oncologist & your breast surgeon? And plastic surgeon if you're looking at reconstruction? That's important. If you don't, you should find another doc for a second opinion.

    There is no cure for breast cancer, but you can certainly be NED (no evidence of disease) for many years. I know women who are 25 years past treatment w/no recurrence.

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  • tzoul
    tzoul Member Posts: 19
    edited June 2017

    Thank you all.

    I have not finished chemo yet. I have two more rounds (8 in total). After that I will start rads (25-30 not sure yet).

    Have not search for plastic surgeon yet.

    Do you know women with triple negative and many lymph nodes positive that are NED ? Really?

    This sound hopefull. Hope they will also send a message...

    g

    P.S. I actually never felt the tumor but the lymph node. I was breastfeeding then. Sometimes I think that this was a cancer on the lymphs and not on the breast...

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