No sentinel lymph node removal with early-stage breast cancer?

Thank you, Colleen, for using info from bc.org. I have been with them since my breast cancer diagnosis.

Hello 🌠

I am truly sorry for all you have been through + hope my story will help you.

I had my early stage breast cancer surgery at Mayo after I traveled from out of state for a 2nd opinion.

Mayo impressed me on many levels = the comprehensive breast cancer team Case Management decision making + customized treatment approach... the emphasis on science based medicine + precision...the highest standards of patient care...the heartfelt + sincere authentic commitment to the needs of each patient.

Based on my comprehensive work up = I chose Mayo 🌠

I had a lumpectomy + 14 lympy nodes removed = only 3 were positive. I am comfortable with this many lympy nodes removed as I understand breast cancer is a serious medical diagnosis = and breast cancer cells try to travel through the lymphatic system...
Certainly the added precaution of removing extra lymph nodes was warranted! I am glad this was done 😇🙏✨️🎀✨️

My recovery was excellent + I stayed on site after my surgery for follow up as I still lived out of state.

Once my drainage tube was removed post surgery + my stoma closed = I gently resumed my unique aquatic program called The Burdenko Method. It truly helped stimulate my bodys ability to self heal.

Since then = I have been so impressed with the foundation of Mayo Standard of Care "The Needs of the Patient Come 1st" that I MOVED to be closer for follow up medical care = how's THAT for patient satisfaction? 💖

Now I am doing GREAT + hope to share my story to encourage others to COME TO MAYO 🌠✨️💖✨️🌠

I hope you send your complete medical record for breast cancer to Mayo + come for a new treatment plan = they CARE + TRULY LEAD today's global medical community 🗺

Thank you for such an informative response. And extremely happy you are doing. This is a long tough journey.
I was treated at MSK. They adopted a new policy of not removing sentinel nodes in patients who particular tumor characteristics.
Stage 1 - vGrade 1 - 14mm - ER PR +
Her2-. And clinically negative on US.
So no sentinel nodes removed.

Had my lumpectomy and achieved clear margins were achieved. Onco score was 4.
So I was also given a choice not to radiate or to radiate.
So I did not. I am 68.
Is any of this similar to your situation.
Not certain if I have made all the right choices.

What follow up does Mayo offer.
Mammogram at 1 year or 6 months with US?

Hello 🌠

It IS a long tough journey when any of us are faced with a breast cancer diagnosis + of course the range of emotions are extensive. The challenges presented are daunting + we draw on a level of resilence, strength + courage we may not have previously realized we had...
Truly the word
💖BRAVE
HEART 💖
Conveys the Spirit ✨️ within us who are "breast cancer patients"...

"She is Clothed ✨️
In Strength 🪷
+ Dignity 💖
...And She 🌠
Laughs 👏
Without Fear 🙏
of The Future" 😇
Proverb 31:25

That’s very interesting. I wonder if there is a paper published that says that no sentinel lymph node needs to be removed in stage 1. What was the size of the tumour on histopathology ?

Yes the sound Trial.

14 mm

Which Mayo Clinic did you go to? I considered Mayo in Jacksonville, FL, but the commute is 3 hours each way.
After this week, I am reconsidering. I thought I was happy where I am, until I was informed by the cancer surgeon that I WILL have a bilateral mastectomy and will lose both nipples. They found two more spots on MRI this week. I won't get those biopsied until Mid-January. The cancer is in only one breast. I got no justification for having to lose both breasts and nipples. I can' handle a double if there is risk that I'll have to go thru this with the other Breast, I really don't want to lose my nipples. Apparently, the cancer is deep, and the nipples are not at risk.
Mayo is starting to sound MUCH better despite the drive.

I had my breast cancer treatment locally, my husband had his cancer care initially at Mayo. If I had it all to do over again, I would attempt to be seen at Mayo, then after the initial care you might be able to continue with a local oncologist.
Have you already had a biopsy? Is there a chance that there is something crazy aggressive in your cancer driving your surgeons comments?

Hi @meeshodge. I am sorry you’re going through this.

In my own situation, the extensive round of testing showed early cancer only in my left breast. It was small but aggressive. Nothing was initially found in my right breast with MRI, mammogram, ultrasound, etc.

I still chose to do a bilateral mastectomy because research showed there was a strong chance that cancer could eventually present in the right breast. Not an easy decision to do the bilateral, but due to the aggressive type of breast cancer presenting in the left breast, I didn’t want to roll the dice with future cancer.

When I had my bilateral mastectomy, atypical cells were found in my right breast, and these were not detectable in the MRI, mammogram or ultrasound!

So I knew I had made the right choice - given that my goal was to not have more cancer.

I was fortunate to be at a nationally certified breast center hospital - with every member of the team being fellowship trained in breast cancer specifically.

I had a nipple-sparing bilateral mastectomy and got tissue expanders. I will have implants in a couple of months.

To me, the most important thing is that my chances of dealing with breast cancer again are remarkably low. Not zero. But low.

I know not everyone qualifies for a nipple sparing mastectomy and not all surgeons are trained to do it. I’m pleased with my results.

But I know so many friends with bilateral mastectomies who are very pleased with their nipple tattoos.

Hope this perspective helps.

Good luck.