Thursday, May 31, 2012
Just Diagnosed with Cancer? Chat with Experts

Tuesday, December 29, 2009 Boobear asks

Q: sentinel node counts

I am very curious to find out when the blue radioactive dye is injected and the hot nodes are detected, what is considered a high count. It is my understanding that hot nodes that register a certain count are the one's the surgeon really wants to get to test for containing cancer. I was told that I had 7 hot nodes but the surgeon was only able to get three. The three they got had real high counts, however did not show to contain cancer. Has anyone ever had high counts, none containing cancer, and had a metastisis or recurrence?

 

Just curious??

Boobear

Answer This
Answers (1)
PJ Hamel, Health Guide
12/29/09 6:27am

Sorry, Boo, I've never heard of "high counts" in reference to sentinel nodes... I'm a bit confused. I'd say if there's no cancer in the nodes the surgeon accessed, that's definitely a positive. But please ask your surgeon for a better explanation, OK? I'm sure s/he can help you understand what's going on. PJH

Reply
Answer This

Important:
We hope you find this general health information helpful. Please note however, that this Q&A is meant to support not replace the professional medical advice you receive from your doctor. No information in the Answers above is intended to diagnose or treat any condition. The views expressed in the Answers above belong to the individuals who posted them and do not necessarily reflect the views of Remedy Health Media. Remedy Health Media does not review or edit content posted by our community members, but reserves the right to remove any material it deems inappropriate.

Ask a Question

Get answers from our experts and community members.

Btn_ask_question_med
View all questions (6580) >
By Boobear— Last Modified: 11/01/10, First Published: 12/29/09