Question About Lymph Node Removal

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kec1972
kec1972 Member Posts: 269
edited January 2019 in Surgery - Before, During, and After

Hi All, I had my lumpectomy last week and my surgeon removed/tested one node, the sentinel node; however, on reading lots of others’ signatures, I see that sometime 3 or more nodes are removed. I am just curious as to how it is determined how many nodes are removed

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  • edwards750
    edwards750 Member Posts: 3,761
    edited January 2019

    I had a micromet in my SN but my MO never tested other nodes. My BS said they had to dissect and re-dissect to find it. When I asked my MO why they didn’t test other nodes she said no need. I’m sure it depends on what they find with the first one.

    Diane

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  • gb2115
    gb2115 Member Posts: 1,894
    edited January 2019

    I thought it depends on how many light up right away. Like if there are others immediately near that first one.

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  • santabarbarian
    santabarbarian Member Posts: 3,085
    edited January 2019

    or how many may have been swollen upon presentation, or how high grade the cancer is

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  • ElaineTherese
    ElaineTherese Member Posts: 3,328
    edited January 2019

    Hi!

    The number of nodes removed may vary depending on 1) how many nodes are identified as sentinel; 2) how many nodes appear to be compromised; or 3) how many Levels 1 and 2 axillary nodes a BC patient has.

    I had all of my Levels 1 and 2 nodes removed (long story), and I just happened to have 20 nodes. Others may have 7 or 13 or whatever. Each BC patient is different.

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