Article micro mets in nodes

Thanks for posting this.  I fall in this category.  I guess there are no answers here, but it is very interesting.

Hi Everyone, I too fall in this category with 6 nodes removed as part of a sentinel node biopsy and one showing a micromet of .22mm.  I did not have any additional lymph nodes removed (in other words no lymphadectomy) despite the fact that the standard of care (NCCN guidelines) says that a full lymphadectomy should be performed in my case. I consulted with three oncologists (two at two different major cancer centers), my breast surgeon, and two radiation oncologists (also at major cancer centers) who all said that they would not recommend lymphadectomy in my case.  In their opinion, my risk of developing lymphadema was much greater than my risk of a recurrence due to the one micromet.  I did have chemo and radiation.  I was uneasy about not following the guidelines, but finally decided to take the advice I was being given because it was so unanimous.  So this article was of great interest to me.

I had micromets (2mm) in the sentinel node.  My surgeon and onc both agreed that it didn't affect my treatment plan. I guess only time will tell as I had no chemo.  This article does a good job of showing the ambiguity surrounding the presence of micromets in the nodes.