What is doctor supposed to do when sentinel lymph node biopsy fails?
What is surgeon supposed to do when sentinel lymph nodes biopsy fails? I had 7 good lymph nodes removed from my right breast. I had tiny stage 1 cancer in this breast.
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i had 8 nodes removed all negative since no sentinel node detected, standard procedure i was told ( done at time of mastectomy, after stage 1)
How are you doing? I am not doing very well at all. I had fibrosis in both breasts - noticed and diagnosed it myself. Then I sent photos to doctor office, they said yes. I gave up on trying to ask them anything fairly quickly. They would just say yes when yes is not even the answer to anything. I developed lymphedema fairly quickly mostly in my feet ankles after surgery. My arms look horrible all the way down from the armpit to the wrist from the lymph node removal. The right one which had 7 removed is much more stratified than the left.
Very sorry to hear about your issues!
As for me, I hated hearing they took out all my nodes and it was my first question when awaking from mastectomy (8 removed for first lumpectomy, then another 8 when local recurrence) but again, I understood that if a sentinel node doesn't show up, they have to make sure none of the remaining nodes has traces of cancer. In my case, it is a relief to know that was the case. I must say aside from numbness on that side I haven't experienced the dreaded lymphedema, although they do say it could show up later. I have background worries about getting any infection on that arm, since the nodes are gone, but am habituating to what I have to accept. I do hope your situation improves!