3 nodes clear but not the sentinel node?

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Vera1966
Vera1966 Member Posts: 21
edited January 2018 in Diagnosed and Waiting for Test Results

My doctor told me after my lumpectomy that I had clear margins and 3 nodes clear. I’m looking at the pathology report and it says Sentinal Node: No. Does that mean they tested 3 random nodes? Aren’t the sentinal nodes more likely to have cancer if any do? Please help if anyone understands. I was so pleased but now worried this information means something different. Thank you all for your help.

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  • Peregrinelady
    Peregrinelady Member Posts: 1,019
    edited January 2018
    Could it mean, sentinel node - no cancer?
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  • Vera1966
    Vera1966 Member Posts: 21
    edited January 2018

    That is what I originally thought it meant. However, while looking at the pathology report I found this. Lymph node biopsy, "right anxillary tissue" Three lymph nodes negative for tumor (0/3). Number of Sentinel Nodes Examined: 0


    I took this to mean that my surgeon biopsied three nodes, but did not, or could not, locate the sentinel nodes. I don't understand that. I have a call into my surgeon, but she can take days and days to return calls, so I was hoping someone here might have had a similar experience or at least understood. Would a non-sentinal node tumor be as helpful prognostically? Thank you for anyone who might know.

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  • pupmom
    pupmom Member Posts: 5,068
    edited January 2018

    Why don't you call your doctor? We cannot possibly know what s/he meant.

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  • Peregrinelady
    Peregrinelady Member Posts: 1,019
    edited January 2018
    That is perplexing. I do seem to recall reading that sometimes the dye doesn’t go to a sentinel node, but I am not sure how that affects prognosis. Your breast surgeon needs to give you a good explanation. Keep calling and let us know what you find out.
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  • Icietla
    Icietla Member Posts: 1,265
    edited January 2018

    Does it say No or does it say N0? Was there a T before it and an M after it? Like T[x] N0 M[x] ?

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  • gb2115
    gb2115 Member Posts: 1,894
    edited January 2018

    Sounds like they couldn't identify the sentinel node. I'm sure your surgeon can explain it and discuss prognosis based on that. I'm surprised they didn't mention it at your follow up visit, unless that really does mean something else?!

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  • Manuella
    Manuella Member Posts: 50
    edited January 2018

    Make sure to ask both your oncologist and surgeon. I had my two sentinel nodes come back clear, and a random, non-sentinel node, come back with a micromet. Their answer: yeah, that sometimes happens, we have no explanation for it. Ummm, OK. Worries me till this day *sigh*

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  • Vera1966
    Vera1966 Member Posts: 21
    edited January 2018

    Thank you for the advice. I can't get an answer from my surgeon and now she is out of town. This does not surprise me, she is never available. I did call my oncologist, who thank god is supportive. She said that in the surgeon's report it indicated that she tested the sentinel nodes and she did not say anything to me at the post-op visit about not being able to locate the nodes, but the pathologist report says no nodes were tested as I had seen. I am hoping it was the sentinel nodes and this is just a miscommunication. Thank you all for the support.

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