Anyone advised to have chemo to treat lymph nodes rather than have them removed through surgery.

Hi JLO1​ 

As arpie​ points out, you have lots of lymph nodes. The big question is how many are you prepared to have removed? And how prepared are you for the risk of lymphoedema? 13 years ago, standard practice was to have lymph nodes removed and also chemo. A biopsy showed I had one malignant node, from several visibly enlarged ones. All the iffy ones were removed, and than another layer in case of spread, 17 in all. I still have no issue with the procedure, it was eminently sensible. I had then six months of chemo as a 'sweeper' of anything else that might be hanging around. So far, it's worked well! 

But the more lymph nodes you lose, the higher the risk of lymphoedema. Some people get a kind of temporary lymphoedema, as the body adjusts. Some people can get lymphoedema from their surgery up to 15 years after the surgery! I got the permanent kind, five months after surgery. It's very manageable, but I'd still prefer not to have it! 

There have been so many improvements in cancer treatment over the last 20 years or so, but it's worth remembering that for many, treatment is still a series of trade offs. I have one long term side effect from chemo (I had no fatigue or nausea, worked throughout) and one from surgery. But overall I have been well and live a normal life. I consider that a worthwhile trade off. With better targetted chemo, as is now possible, it might, just might, have been one long term side effect.  

Best wishes, whatever your ultimate decision.

Hi JLO1​ - so sorry to see you joining us here in our select little club.

Our Lymph Nodes are the 'soldiers' of infection .... if you get an infection  - they send out signals to try & fight the infection - and hopefully, they win.   

Has your GP ever run their fingers over the back of your ears, and down both sides of your throat?  They are checking to see if your lymph nodes in the area are 'inflamed' ... as this is an indication of an infection (or possibly worse. ) They can actually 'feel the lump' ie the swollen glands that may indicate a problem!  We have these lymph nodes all over the body - there are hundreds of them!   Most major organs have them all around them.  The Sentinel Node test is to check on the Lymph Nodes that 'drain from' your breast to them.

So, when your biopsy is showing that even one lymph node as being 'positive to cancer', it means that more treatment is likely necessary (that surgery alone may not address.) 

With even 'just one' lymph node showing positive to cancer ..... this means that your cancer may have travelled 'outside' of the 'safe area' ... and may need more aggressive treatment to try & stop it travelling further. 

This could include both chemo and/or Radiation and/or hormone suppressing medication.

Please ask your Surgeon, Breast Cancer Nurse and/or Oncologist to fully explain the meaning of this biopsy result .... or ring our helpline on 1800 500 258 for a 'one on one' chat to help explain this.  

Take care and all the best xx