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Why are axillary nodes removed if sentinel node found positive?

Posted by polianad22 @polianad22, Sep 26, 2022

Hello beautiful souls,

Please help me understand about the sentinel nodes and axillary nodes being removed. Why the doctor has to remove axillary nodes if the sentinel nodes are found positive? Thank you.

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callalloo | @callalloo | Oct 3, 2022
In reply to @polianad22 "Thank you so much. You are very kind! I read that women who have lumpectomy don't..." + (show)
@polianad22

Thank you so much. You are very kind!

I read that women who have lumpectomy don't need axillary node surgery. Is it true?

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There is no clear decision tree for lumpectomy and lymph node excisions and biopsies. I had a lumpectomy and a concurrent sentinel node biopsy. The node was negative for cancer cells so that was the end of the story for lymph involvement. Had it been positive, I'm sure the surgeon and oncologist would have recommended further node biopsies.

I'm a knitter and knit designer currently finishing the sixth pair of Christmas gift socks, lol. And trying to keep newly-acquired cat away from balls of yarn. I was worried about lymphedema but have since read of so much help people on Mayo Connect have found to prevent it or minimize discomfort. On the off chance that you might be at risk, get all the therapy help available as people here have found a lot of resources that made a big difference for their comfort. And fiber onward!

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1 reply
polianad22 | @polianad22 | Oct 4, 2022
In reply to @callalloo "There is no clear decision tree for lumpectomy and lymph node excisions and biopsies. I had..." + (show)
@callalloo

There is no clear decision tree for lumpectomy and lymph node excisions and biopsies. I had a lumpectomy and a concurrent sentinel node biopsy. The node was negative for cancer cells so that was the end of the story for lymph involvement. Had it been positive, I'm sure the surgeon and oncologist would have recommended further node biopsies.

I'm a knitter and knit designer currently finishing the sixth pair of Christmas gift socks, lol. And trying to keep newly-acquired cat away from balls of yarn. I was worried about lymphedema but have since read of so much help people on Mayo Connect have found to prevent it or minimize discomfort. On the off chance that you might be at risk, get all the therapy help available as people here have found a lot of resources that made a big difference for their comfort. And fiber onward!

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Socks...are you from Sweden?

One thing that I noticed is that my lump got bigger after the biopsy. Before, I couldn't feel the bump nor the gynecologist.

What do you think? Did you hear about this?

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2 replies
callalloo | @callalloo | Oct 4, 2022
In reply to @polianad22 "Socks...are you from Sweden? One thing that I noticed is that my lump got bigger after..." + (show)
@polianad22

Socks...are you from Sweden?

One thing that I noticed is that my lump got bigger after the biopsy. Before, I couldn't feel the bump nor the gynecologist.

What do you think? Did you hear about this?

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I don't have any experience with that. But the tumor I had was small, 5-6mm, and not detectable by physical exam. The post-surgery biopsy reported it as 9mm at the widest area but that included clear margins of at least 1mm so don't think it 'grew' in the ten days between pre-surgery biopsy and surgery. I had a friend who had a routine biopsy (negative for cancer) trigger an infection that caused a lot of swelling though so that can possibly happen.

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Mentor
Chris, Volunteer Mentor | @auntieoakley | Oct 4, 2022
In reply to @polianad22 "Socks...are you from Sweden? One thing that I noticed is that my lump got bigger after..." + (show)
@polianad22

Socks...are you from Sweden?

One thing that I noticed is that my lump got bigger after the biopsy. Before, I couldn't feel the bump nor the gynecologist.

What do you think? Did you hear about this?

Jump to this post

There will frequently be a build up fluid and inflammation after a lumpectomy. This will make that area, bigger and more tender for a while, but inflammation is a bodies normal response to injury. This is one of the bodies ways to aid in healing.
How many days since your lumpectomy?

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1 reply
polianad22 | @polianad22 | Oct 4, 2022
In reply to @auntieoakley "There will frequently be a build up fluid and inflammation after a lumpectomy. This will make..." + (show)
@auntieoakley

There will frequently be a build up fluid and inflammation after a lumpectomy. This will make that area, bigger and more tender for a while, but inflammation is a bodies normal response to injury. This is one of the bodies ways to aid in healing.
How many days since your lumpectomy?

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The mastectomy on November 3rd. But I will meet a second doctor at Sloan Kettering. If I feel more connected with her, then I will go with her.

The first surgeon proposed both lumpectomy and mastectomy. I have two tumors in my breast.

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