Histology slide results

My mom is undergoing Chemo right now after complete mastectomy. She has a Grade-III diagnosis with 1 +ve lymph node, ER+ve, Her2 -ve. Her tumor is big 4cm X 5cm
We had taken a 2nd opinion of the slides and had conflicting results. During the surgery, the doctor removed only 4 lymph nodes. The 1st lab reported that 1 out of 4 lymph nodes came out +ve for micrometastasis. They made slides of the tumor, tissue and that +ve lymph node. These 3 slides were given to a 2nd lab for corroboration. Here, the analysis came out to be lymph node -ve. My only fear is that whether the 1st lab made a slide of the correct lymph node or not. We still have paraffin blocks of the tumor from which new sections can be made. However the doctor is assuming that the 1st lab was right and treating her as if she is lymph node +ve.
SHould I get the slides re-analyzed afer making new slides from the blocks again?

[boninclyde]

You can always ask the labs to redo the test. You can always get a 3rd opinion. The normal treatment is chemo for any cancer over 1cm.

[MiracleB]

I agree with boninclyde. Additional tests and opinions are always an option. I would say, that if you or your mother want the lymph nodes re-tested, that you ask for it to be done and send it to another, different lab, than the other two if possible. If this is what is going to give you more peace and understanding, than I say get that 3rd opinion and re-test samples. However, I am glad to hear that your mom, in the meanwhile, is doing the chemo, as chemo may be the normal treatment plan for your mother's case, due to the size of tumors, what stage she is at, age, postmenapausal, etc. even if the nodes were negative. If there is any evidence of any mets, I would think that chemo is very reasonable and treatment should be as aggressive as possible.
Perhaps the doctor is being on the more aggressive side of treatment, but if the 2nd lab found node or nodes to be negative, that is the lab I would question. It is always better to be safe than sorry. I wish your mom the best during treatment and I am so glad, as I know she is of course, glad to have you by her side during this.

[lizziecee]

My hospital has a protocol that all patients with invasive tumours over 1 cm are advised to have chemo but hospitals do differ. I would definitely get another opinion on the status of the questionable lymph node. If it is positive, I would think that a total axillary dissection/removal is the preferred way to go. I had 3/8 lymph nodes positive at the lumpectomy stage and had to go back for total axillary removal a month later, when another lymph node was found +. In total I had 18 nodes removed. A + lymph node means the cancer has already spread to that area, and possibly, to other organs, so best be safe than sorry.
|Hope your Mum does well with her treatment.
Liz.