SENTINEL BIOPSY

[ELLE105]

I was found to have cancer of the breast after a mammogram, I could not feel a lump. I had a sentinel biopsy and was told at the time, 4 nodes removed. When I had a follow up appointment I was then told that I had 7 hots spots so all were removed but they never found any nodes in the hotspots. The surgeon said this was excellent news and the cancer was caught early. He first said the tumour size was less than a cm but I noted on a report the other day it was 1.02 cm.  I asked if I should have a full mammary clearence but he said there is no need. He said no lymp glands were swollen and I must have glands the size of a grain.  I have undergone radiation (not of the anxillary) and a lumpectomy. I have never heard of this happening before and have asked several consultants but all said dont worry.  But I do as they have given me no explaination why the dye never showed up the nodes and I am worried that I may have postive nodes after all.  Please advise me as I am sick with worry.  I know that cancerous nodes are not always swollen.

[katarina777]

I understand your concerns, and you are correct in all you are saying. I also agree that you need to see the pathology report and have it explained to you. "Do not worry" is obviously not what you need but rather a "Why it is exactly  that you need not to worry, and what is the reason."

[japdip]

Your Pathology report would have some notation as to the results of the studies on the nodes removed or if no actual nodes were submitted for examination. If you haven't already I would suggest that you request a copy of the "final" Pathology report. Since you had radiation you might also discuss this in detail with your Oncologist. If there were any doubt as to the possibility of positive nodes I'm sure Chemo would have been recommended. Regards ...