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Breast Cancer Patients Can Be Spared Extra Surgery
http://www.webmd.com/breast-cancer/news/20100609/breast-cancer-patients-can-be-spared-extra-surgery
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Andie_WebMD_Staff posted:
WebMD has published an article discussing a study which shows removal of additional Lymph nodes may be unnecessary...

For many women with early-stage breast cancer , removing more than just the sentinel lymph nodes may be unnecessary -- even if cancer cells are found.

Read full article...
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3 Replies |Report This| Share this:Breast Cancer Patients Can Be Spared Extra SurgeryWebMD has published an article discussing a study which shows removal of additional Lymph nodes may be unnecessary...<br /><br />For many women with early-stage <a href="http://www.webmd.com/breast-cancer/">breast cancer</a> , removing more than just the sentinel lymph nodes may be unnecessary -- even if <a href="http://www.webmd.com/cancer/">cancer</a> cells are found.<br /><br /><i><b><a href="http://www.webmd.com/breast-cancer/news/20100609/breast-cancer-patients-can-be-spared-extra-surgery">Read full article...</a> </b></i>
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Rachael67 responded:
Interesting. And somewhat confusing as well! My first responsie is Super! But as I read further, it's not quite that clear, is it? And then I wonder why remove the sentinel nodes? If further removal isn't warranted, maybe it isn't necessary for the sentinel nodes be removed? Is that the only way to detect mets?

Lots to contemplate! But thanks for the the heads-up!

Rachael
Just when the caterpillar thought her world was over, she became a butterfly! Don't give up five minutes before the miracle!!
Report This| Share this:Breast Cancer Patients Can Be Spared Extra Surgery<b>Interesting. And somewhat confusing as well! My first responsie is <i>Super!</i> But as I read further, it's not quite that clear, is it? And then I wonder why remove the sentinel nodes? If further removal isn't warranted, maybe it isn't necessary for the sentinel nodes be removed? Is that the only way to detect mets?</b><br /><b></b> <br /><b>Lots to contemplate! But thanks for the the heads-up!</b><br /><b></b> <br /><b>Rachael</b>
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An_188561 replied to Rachael67's response:
My doctor explained the reason for doing sentinel nodes at the time of my initial mastectomy was because it is difficult to do that procedure after the mastectomy. In my case they only took one node and the reassurance it gave me when I was told there was NO cancer there was wonderful.
Report This| Share this:Breast Cancer Patients Can Be Spared Extra SurgeryMy doctor explained the reason for doing sentinel nodes at the time of my initial mastectomy was because it is difficult to do that procedure after the mastectomy. In my case they only took one node and the reassurance it gave me when I was told there was NO cancer there was wonderful.
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DiKay1024 responded:
When I had my surgery 6 years ago, my doc removed 5 other nodes along with the sentinel node because they had some trace of dye or tracer. Only the first and most highly positive for the dye and tracer was cancerous. He said at the time further lymph node dissection would be the norm, but since the other 5 nodes were all clear he felt it unnecessary. He consulted with some colleagues who agreed and I went along with no further surgery. I'm 6 years out and doing fine, but that decision did prevent me getting into a trial to determine the benefits of continuing an aromatase inhibitor beyond 5 years--hadn't followed the standard protocol of complete lymph dissection. Still glad I went that route!

Blessings, Di
Report This| Share this:Breast Cancer Patients Can Be Spared Extra SurgeryWhen I had my surgery 6 years ago, my doc removed 5 other nodes along with the sentinel node because they had some trace of dye or tracer. Only the first and most highly positive for the dye and tracer was cancerous. He said at the time further lymph node dissection would be the norm, but since the other 5 nodes were all clear he felt it unnecessary. He consulted with some colleagues who agreed and I went along with no further surgery. I'm 6 years out and doing fine, but that decision did prevent me getting into a trial to determine the benefits of continuing an aromatase inhibitor beyond 5 years--hadn't followed the standard protocol of complete lymph dissection. Still glad I went that route!<br /> <br />Blessings, Di
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