Radioactive blue dye injected to the breast for lymph node dissection

I was offered chemo, but my oncotype dx was only 27, and factoring in my age (70), i didn't think the very small risk reduction was worth it. So i declined chemo. And my surgeon and oncologists said that studies showed equal outcomes of lumpectomy with radiation, versus mastectomy and chemo. So i chose lumpectomy and radiation. I was ER/PR +, HER2 -. During surgery, the tumor was sent to pathology, surgeon was immediately notified margins were not clear, so he took more, and then the margins were only .5mm. Small but clear nonetheless. So only one surgery. Fabulous surgeon! Now on anastrozole, but switching to letrozole.

Thank you for the info on your BC. I will need a 2nd surgery as the pathology report stated margins were not clear, the lymph node removed was clear. This now became stage 2A, with ER/PR 100%, HER2 - I will need whole breast radiation and anti-estrogen therapy or chemo. I have been with Moffitt Cancer Ctr in Tampa, Fla., which is highly rated cancer center. However,I do not like the long waiting between surgery or doctor appointments. I am 74 y.o. , and do want to have the radiation necessary, since invasive ductal cancer can spread. But , because it is a left breast cancer, regular radiation can damage the heart an lungs, so I am looking into Proton therapy radiation which targets precise areas only, given in Jacksonville, Fla or Anderson cancer ctr in Texas. Can you mention what cancer hospital you went to and got great results. Good Luck to you, and how long ago did this happen for you ?. Thank you for the info and reply.

I was treated at Mayo. I never had long waits for anything, and pathology reports were posted online within three days. Very, very efficient, and excellent care. My tumor was in my left breast, very deep on chest wall. I also had full breast radiation, but trusted my radiologists that no damage was done to any other organs. You really need to sit down with your oncology nurse to get your questions answered. Be your own advocate, but get your answers from those who know your specific circumstances.

Thanks for info. Just wanted to know how others handled their treatments . Hope all goes well for you.

I was IIA and had a lumpectomy done on July 24, 2017. Nodes were negative. I am doing 20 days of radiation and 5 years of Arimidex. Thankful for a good prognosis. I am 77. Thought that I was immune to breast cancer, but my mom had it when she was 70, so I should have been aware.

I ask my radiologist about the lung and heart danger. He said that they position the breast so the radiation goes in from the side instead of on top. And if there were side effects to the heart and lung, we would probably be gone by the time that happened. 🙂

I've been diagnosed with Stage 1 breast cancer. Need to have a lumpectomy to remove the tumor and some breast tissue. During surgery can someone tell me their experience?. For example: how do you handle the anesthesia and also if you needed a epidural? I'm concern as to why an epidural would be needed?

Cathy, i wrote down some notes after my lumpectomy. Hope this helps you. I requested monitored anaesthetic because i get so nauseous from a general. It was fine. No issues at all. I can't say enough about my caregivers and treatment. They were just great. Never heard of epidural for a lumpectomy.
https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/96/topics/849145?page=1#post_4826009

Thank you so much for all your information. You taught me some stuff to talk to my doctors about. Thank you again!

Cathy, you will be fine. The Lumpectomy is very easy, no pain, the anesthesia goes very smooth, you can request a pill beforehand to prevent nauseous and the injection for radioactive dye to locate and check lymph nodes does not hurt, it is acceptable if you just relax. You will go to sleep easily and wake when it is over and would feel a thing. I had it 2 times. Any questions you must ask, also, your doctor and understand everything. Just RELAX . runninglakes