HER2 Support Group Forums - View Single Post - neoadjuvant herceptin may rid axillary nodes of disease

freyja · 06-15-2010, 10:14 AM

I had neoadjuvant chemo and herceptin, and it worked, but they took 17 lymph nodes out anyway, as I understand it was because it is so difficult to tell just by a scan (MRI) if the nodes really are negative or not, and we didn't want to take any chances. All nodes removed were found to be completely clear. Are there any advancements being made in scans or tests to determine if nodes are negative?

06-15-2010, 10:14 AM	#3
freyja Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Eugene, Oregon Posts: 347	Re: neoadjuvant herceptin may rid axillary nodes of disease I had neoadjuvant chemo and herceptin, and it worked, but they took 17 lymph nodes out anyway, as I understand it was because it is so difficult to tell just by a scan (MRI) if the nodes really are negative or not, and we didn't want to take any chances. All nodes removed were found to be completely clear. Are there any advancements being made in scans or tests to determine if nodes are negative? __________________ "Dancers Against Cancer" in the Eugene, OR Komen Race for the Cure 2010 Diagnosed 8/7/08 with stage 3 invasive ductal carcinoma, micropapillary pattern, Her2 3+, ER+,PR-, grade II, positive lymph nodes. Received 6doses of Taxotere, Carboplatin with Herceptin continuing for a year...DONE. 1/28/09 Left Modified Radical Mastectomy, Right Simple Mastectomy. Surgery pathology: No invasive carcinoma present and 17 lymph nodes removed all negative! Only small amount of carcinoma in situ in left breast. March/April '09, Radiation to left chest wall. Currently involved in Neratinib clinical trial. "Well being I won and wisdom too, I grew and joyed in my growth; from a word to a word I was led to a word from a deed to another deed." (Odin)