Wednesday, November 11, 2009 abi999 asks

Q: c

Hello Everyone,

I had my first lumpectomy with lymph nodes disection and 1 out of 2 came back positive and the margin was not clean and It was recomemded that I have MRI to make see what other areas of the breast the cancer might be. The test came back clear. My surgical oncologist is still recomemding that i do a total removal on the lymph nodes that it is actually better and will help to treat my cancer post chemo. Is this true?

I am so confused because the last time he recommended this and i decluned that I wanted the sentinel lymph nodes.

Answers (2)

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Phyllis Johnson

11/12/09 6:11am

Maybe he is concerned about the effects of repeated surgeries since the sentinel node method didn't get clean margins for you. Since removal of all your lymph nodes increases the risk of lymphedema, you might want to get a second opinion about the best course of action for you. Keep in mind that the risk of leaving cancer in those lymph nodes is much more dangerous than that possibility of lymphedema down the road.

PJ Hamel

11/12/09 6:36am

I agree with Phyllis, Abi - get a second opinion. This sounds like "old fashioned" thinking, on the face of it - total axillary dissection (all the lymph nodes) is pretty much a thing of the past. I had two lymph nodes sampled, one positive, and no clear margins; and I had radiation to my armpit for the "no clear margins," but didn't have any more lymph nodes removed. Good luck - PJH

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Q: c

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