Why chemo ?

Hi @Melc503 , I had a partial with sentinel node then back in for a mastectomy with axillary clearance with lobular cancer.  My surgeon is also pretty sure that the cancer is gone but that's the key - he can't guarantee 100%. Once it's gone to the nodes it has moved out of the breast meaning it is no longer local.  While the cancer has been cut out, there might be escapee cells on the move, waiting to set up house elsewhere in the body.  The chemo is effectively a mopping up operation.  Do you know what chemo regimen you are going to be on?  While it's not pleasant, for most people it is do-able, and wouldn't be suggested if it wasn't going to reduce your chances of having a recurrence.  I'm guessing that you would have had radiation recommended even if it hadn't gone to the nodes.  That's my understanding of it but talk to your oncologist about the stats.