TNBC Polls & Surveys - Mets after Node Negative

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Mets after Node Negative

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Category: TNBC Forums
Forum Name: TNBC Polls & Surveys
Forum Description: A place to ask questions and survey the community
URL: http://forum.tnbcfoundation.org/forum_posts.asp?TID=1017
Printed Date: Mar 26 2026 at 11:24pm
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Topic: Mets after Node Negative

Posted By: Katie
Subject: Mets after Node Negative
Date Posted: May 27 2008 at 7:35am

I see that a lot of us who give our details in the signature, have Mets even though they were node negative at the time of diagnosis.

It makes me wonder how relaxed we can be if our lymph nodes appear clear? I also wonder about how reliable is SNB (Sentinel Node Biopsy), it spares a lot of pain and is better than having axillary clearance of course, but does it defintitely work?

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46yrs: DX 12/07:Lumpectomy:Stage 2a:Grade 3: TNBC
Lymph nodes neg (SNB)
Clear CT and Bone Scan
Taxotere & Cyclophosphamide x 4,
25 Rads, Fin June 08
My Mom ER neg 1988, still here, no recurrence.

Replies:

Posted By: Possum
Date Posted: May 28 2008 at 4:55pm

Hi,

I also had sentinel node bx and my surgeon told me that the risk of them missing a tumour in a node that was not removed is about 7%. It is a risk, but I figure that it's worth it, especially if you proceed with chemo anyway.

Posted By: CarynRose
Date Posted: May 29 2008 at 8:18am

I had a SNB that came back negative. Four years later, mets in lymph nodes and lungs.

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Orig dx 6/03 - St.2a, IDC
gr.3,0 nodes, TNBC/BRCA1+
7/07 St 4 mets to nodes/lungs. PACA/Rads NED 11/07-10/08
Lepto mets 10/08
Rads for 4 brain tumors 4/10.
Leptomets return 6/10

Posted By: Katie
Date Posted: May 29 2008 at 9:14am

Thanks for letting me know. Isn't it strange how long it can take to reappear?.makes me wonder why it is effectively dormant sometimes for some years. I wonder how they can say its mets rather than a new cancer?

-------------
46yrs: DX 12/07:Lumpectomy:Stage 2a:Grade 3: TNBC
Lymph nodes neg (SNB)
Clear CT and Bone Scan
Taxotere & Cyclophosphamide x 4,
25 Rads, Fin June 08
My Mom ER neg 1988, still here, no recurrence.

Posted By: Netterz
Date Posted: May 31 2008 at 7:12am

I had something different done, but maybe it was because I already had a huge tumor the size of a deck of cards in my axilla, so the test I had done was called a mammotome. I havent seen anyone else on here that had it done, or if they did, didnt mention it. He removed all my axillery nodes, and 2 more rogue nodes, that didnt have clear margins one was going up towards my shoulder, the other up into my arm.

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T-Neg diag.5/07-40yo
Stage IIIa
Grade III
7/26 +nodes ax.
4-A/C pre-lumpectomy 2 Taxol post
+Tissue involvement
Finished Rad 4/08
DX of Advanced CTCL 2/09
Lansing,MI

Posted By: Indi
Date Posted: Jun 23 2008 at 5:24am

Hi,

I also received sentinel node biop, four (4) nodes, Partial Mast, IDC Grade 3, Stage 1b or 1c, although cancer cells were found in the blood, surrounding the tumor, so I was given 4 v A/C, 12 wkly Taxol, followed by 32 Ras, including 8 Boosts.

Since it seems to me we all receive the same treatment, no matter what size tumor, surgery, grade or stage, why bother taking any lymph nodes in the first place, since they are actually the body's filtering system, we all have thousands of lymph through-out our bodies. Whose to say the cancer did not already pass through the lymph nodes, anyway?

I suffered greatly from cut nerves, and infection. Still must worry about Lymphedema, and the arms and hands both numb from Taxol. It doesn't seem anyone has a satisfying answer to this question. I also wonder why a bilatteral isn't recommended immediately, as well as genetic and Abraxane, a far more effect version of Paciltaxel.

Thanks for the pole, and comments.

Love and hugs,

Indi