[MaryAnn-CA]

Although I was diagnosed in November 2007 as node positive because of one sentinel node having one micromet, my surgeon and two oncologists told me that they did not feel an axillary node dissection was needed in my case. I questioned this because AND was the recommended standard practice for node positive patients and I wanted to err on the side of being too cautious. But when all three recommendations came back the same, I decide to pass on the axill node dissection. When it came time for radiation, my radiation oncologist, who is a nationally recognized breast cancer specialist, said she felt I did not need radiation to the axillary nodes based on having one micromet. So, although I had 35 days of radiation, the axillary node area was not included in the radiation field. My adjuvant therapy consisted of a lumpectomy and the TCH regimen. I am feeling bit nervous after seeing this study. Mary Jo ... was your 28 days of radiation to the axillary lymph nodes as well as to the site of your tumor?
Does this study indicate that I am at 35% higher risk of metastasis than node negative patients? Thanks for your support!