Micromet MYSTERY.....anyone????

[gqmom]

Hello all,
At my follow-up visit, my surgeon told me that I have a micromet in one of six of the nodes removed for SLNB. He said that axillary dissection was unnecessary. After meeting with my oncologist, I asked her if I would need radiation for the micromet and she said no. I am having chemo, however. I feel unsure about this...I have the "let's give it all we've got" attitude.....any thoughts or experiences with this??? I am stage IIa, by the way.

[Mary Jo]

I, too, was told when the pathology report came back (after my initial mastectomy) that they found 1 microment in one sentinel node. After the surgery however, my surgeon told my hubby that there was no cancer found in either of the 2 sentinel nodes that were removed. She did warn us that after a more thorough examination, that could change. It did. My surgeon did tell me the standard of care was a complete axillary dissection HOWEVER I was adamant that I did not want that for 1 micromet. My surgeon said she agreed with me and said that in her opinion 1 micromet could have come from the needle biopsy but of course, had no way of knowing. I met with a radiation oncologist who specialized in breast cancer and she was ADAMANT that even though it was only 1 micromet that did not mean there couldn't be any other cancer cells on any other nodes. She said because I was refusing the axillary dissection she would most definitely have radiation. I had to go home and think about it. After much thinking I came to the conclusion that after all the chemo I went through I owed it to myself to do that one last thing in the hopes of getting rid of any cancer cells that just MIGHT have been their. So I did.

That's my story. Praying it helps you.

God's Peace to you and prayers for help in deciding.

Mary Jo

[ammebarb]

My sis had a similar situation and was told she should have either axillary node dissection or radiation to the underarm area. She chose dissection, wanting to do absolutely everything that she could to minimize chance for recurrence. She also did ATC chemo and Herceptin, as well. Wishing you well in your decision.

Barb A.

[Becky]

I was Stage 2A as well and had 2 micromets in my sentinental node (the other 2 taken at that time were clear). Unfortunately, my margins around my tumor were not clear and I had to have a second surgery shortly after my first. They cleared the margins and took more nodes (7) and those nodes were clear too.

At the time, this was standard of care and I knew nothing. This board later helped me along the path. I had radiation (because I had a lumpectomy) but they did not do my underarm just the breast.

[Jackie07]

Lani posted a link earlier of the month on the subject:

http://her2support.org/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=50280&highlight=node+dissection

[harrie]

Mary Jo, I have one question for you. If your 2 sentinel nodes were clear, what was the "further examination" which found the 1 micromet. Was this in a lymph node or where was it found exactly?