mastectomy without lymph node sampling

Hi, I'm a 51 y.o.woman who was diagnosed 9 years ago with [ER +/HER-2 3+] stage II infiltrating ductal ca of the right breast. I had lumpectomy w/lymph node sampling at the time. Lymph were negative, but cancer was stage II based on tumor size (2.5cm). Had 4 courses of Adriamycin/Cytoxan chemo, 34 radiation treatments, and 5 yrs Tamoxifen.
I was disease-free until stereotactic biopsy showed DCIS of the right breast...somewhat different location. As I am not a candidate for more radiation, mastectomy was recommended, which I had.
I just got the pathology report from the mastectomy yesterday, and it shows multiple (approximately 4) small (2.8mm, 1.8mm, 1.8mm, and 1.5mm) foci of invasive ductal carcinoma in a background of more extensive comedo DCIS. Lymph nodes were NOT sampled during the mastectomy...my surgeon said something about that already being done last time, and these areas of invasive cancer were "sooo teeny-tiny".
QUESTION: In view of this new pathology report, and the fact that lymph nodes were not sampled, should I be looking to get a sampling done? If so, how would it be done at this late date (2 weeks post mastectomy)?
Thanks for your input!

[japdip]

I must admit I've never heard of this or the reason for not sampling lymph nodes. I would like very much for you to post this question/concern on the Forum that is answered by the Physicians from the Cleveland Clinic. The Forum has a limit of questions per day so it might take you a few tries before you are able to post but I would love to hear what they have to say about this. The way you can identify the C.C. Physicians is a little medical symbol beside their name. Thanks ...

[Fernando Roque, MD]

Hi.  Since you have had a prior history of Stage 2 breast cancer, plus the fact that foci of invasive carcinoma has been found by the pathologist, I would recommend an axillary lymph node dissection to be done (this means taking out any lymph nodes found in the armpit area, not just sampling).  I'm not sure if a sentinel lymph node sampling is still possible since it's already two weeks post-mastectomy.