Lymph node involvement in internal mammary gland

I have stage II Invasive Ductal Carcinoma with one lymph node involved.  This lymph node is located in my internal mammory gland.  I elected to have chemotherapy first, then surgery, followed by radiation.  I have just completed my chemotherapy, and I am now preparing for surgery.  I have been under the impression since the beginning of my treament, which was the first week in January 2009, that the lymph node in the internal mammary gland would be removed during the surgery.  I have learned just recently, that the lymph node will not be removed.  I am told that the chemotherapy and radiation will take care of it.

The surgeon plans to do a sentinal biopsy on lymph nodes that are not affected, according to the pet scan, yet will not be removing the affected lymh node interally?  He simply says it is not necessary. I want it removed. What can I do?

[bluebutterfly2222]

Apparently the internal mammary lymph nodes are not easy to get to, and would basically require opening the chest.  Having chemo and radiation, as you've been advised, sholud take care of it. For a more detailed, related answer, click on the Expert Forum question entitled "Significance of tumor location" in the "Related Discussions" box just below my reply.

Best wishes...

[jbutlerdds]

A related discussion, Internal Mammary Lymph Nodes was started.