sentinode node scares me

[fourboysmom]

Hi everyone,

I am freaking out. Throughout 2005 (after being diagnosed in March) I had both neoadjuvant chemo (Carbo/Taxotere/Herceptin), then a simple mastectomy and 4 rounds of A/C. I have recently begun getting the 3 week regime of Herceptin . A few days ago I found a firm lump in my armpit (size of nickel), on the affected side. Now the start of radiation is on hold, and I'll have a biopsy on thurs. If this comes back as cancer cells, doesn't that mean herceptin isn't working?
My tumor was high grade, ER,PR-. Her+3, 5-6 cms. I remember my onc saying prior to my sentinal node biopsy that probably nodes would be involved, given the size of the tumor. Sent node is 93% accurate.
Now I'm afraid I am one of those who slippedthrough the cracks. Any help or advice? I am basing life expectancy on whether or not that nuclear med tech saw the right thing on the screen at that time.
Love and peace, Janet in CT

[al from Canada]

Dear Janet,

Maybe one slipped through the cracks and maybe it is cancerous but, don't freak and make sure this is taken care of asap. By biopy; I hope you mean they'll completely remove the node and not do a fine needle biopsy. The reason I say this is because, as you stated, there is a good chance of being cancer related so why 2 surgeries?? I still am one who belives that surgery (and biopsies) may induce spread so the less cutting, the better.

This has absolutely nothing to do with herceptin as you have just started it. Even then, herceptin as a single treatment, to reduce active tumours, works in a very small precentage of patients, its real benefit on active disease is with chemo, where the response rate is far greater. Assuming that they missed a node, it would be considered as active disease.

Lastly, about the stats thing. The book hasn't been finished on HER2 disease. Herceptin has made such an impact that the final on stats is still pending. Even then, any survival stat is a median and the spread is from 3 months to ??? Never ever believe survival stats....just ask anyone here.

Good luck,
Al