Scared and Frustrated: Axillary Node Biopsy Results Pending
Hello All.. I'm new to posting though have relied on learning from this community since being diagnosed with high grade DCIS in Sept 2016.
Here's what's going on and why I need to hear from those in a similar boat. Have any of you encountered similar circumstances where "possible reactive lymph nodes" have been documented but no follow up?
My first BS was recommending unilateral mastectomy from the outset but I wanted to try breast conservation. Also wanted to have an MRI done before my first surgery as I have dense breast tissue. Long story short, MRI didn't get scheduled and I went for my lumpectomy in Oct 2016. Margins were very close. Pathology stated my DCIS is high grade,, micorpapillary and clinging type with focal necrosis, with microcalicifations present. No invasion was present. I need to point out that no SNB was done as it's not the protocol in Canada so it seems.
MRI was finally done in Nov 2016. This showed possible benign postsurgical changes and prominent level 1 lymph nodes, likely reactive. Ended up having a biopsy and tumour board agreed it was DCIS so additional surgery scheduled (with a different BS) following receipt of genetic testing which was negative.
Second lumpectomy/re-excision done in Feb 2017 by new BS. Pathology came back positive for DCIS. Lots of it. Again, no nodes tested.Moved onward to radiation and began taking Tamoxifen again (had to stop for surgery).
Fast forward to September 2017.Accepted into a study for new surveillance techniques. MRI showed questionable area and prominent level 1 nodes...still. Close look ultrasound and biopsy done. Results of biopsy negative though ultrasound documented abnormal lymph node, which was recommended for biopsy at the discretion of the BS. Not done. This after several imaging tests since Nov 2016 mentioned prominent level 1 lymph nodes.
Given that I'm the third in my family with BC, first to be pre-menopausal, I'm a bit leery, especially because of how things have gone so far. I just can't help the feeling that something has been missed.
In Sept 2017 I had a sore location in my underarm. This was finally biopsied in early Dec (yup a few days ago) at my insistence. Radiologist claimed they saw no abnormal nodes. ?! I could clearly feel a lump in my axial area (so did my oncologist though they said it was "small" and :probably nothing to worry about".) I'm sorry but it hurt like crazy and was getting worse. Was waking me at night and could "feel" it when my arm was down. Was also palpable. We decided to do another ultrasound again to see what had changed in 3 months. Ultrasound gave way to an immediate biopsy on something the Radiologist was not certain was a lymph node. Despite all the prior indications, it was said that my nodes were fine. ?? Now I wait. Again.
Comments
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Sorry you are here! I am new to this board myself, being diagnosed not long ago. I am of course no expert, however in my reading I had thought that strictly DCIS isn’t typically found in the lymph nodes as it is “contained” in the ducts?
That is stressful! Is there any way they will take out the sentinel node? I have a friend in Canada who had DCIS and they took out the sentinel node, I think at her request, when they did her mastectomy.
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I'm sorry that you're going through this, it sounds very frustrating. If they keep biopsying it and it keeps coming back clear, is it possible that it's something not BC related?
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Im hoping since you have not posted that your results came back fine with the node.
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When my son had some enlarged nodes, they said FNA biopsy was not always accurate for nodes, so they removed the largest node for biopsy. That may be something you want to discuss. That being said, his node was reactive, and the other swollen ones took 18 months to decrease in size.
Hoping yours is benign too
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Hi there and Merry Christmas to all.
Apologies for not posting my results sooner. A core needle biopsy showed B9 fibroadipose tissue. Unfortunately what was sampled was not a node...Very happy it was B9 and will be waiting six months to see what shows up on my follow up mammo and MRI.
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