Confusion with path results after ALND- no lymoh nodes found

Hi ac, I can't help you with the no node problem. So sorry there.
But with regard to treatment, what your Oncologist says sounds right to me and was what I was told too. 
I had lumpectomy with no clear margins and 1 sentinel node positive. There were cancer foci all through the two tissue areas removed (I had 2 lumps in different quadrants) so, like you, it was not confined to the lumps.
I was sent straight to chemo to deal with any cancer cells that might still remain in the breast tissue, followed by a mastectomy and lymph node clearance. The mastectomy showed that there had been cancer cells left behind in the lumpectomy. (But the remaining 20 lymphnodes were clear)
I was sent for radiation of the whole right side, nodes under my clavicle, in my neck near the thyroid and under the breastbone. 
This is supposed to make sure that everything has been covered.

There are graphs showing the stages of breast cancer with the relevant risks of recurrence if you want to google them.
I wasn't really sure I wanted to know, but the Oncologist ran through it with me anyway.
I am tentatively classed as stage 2B, and the graph showed a 21% chance of recurrence. So that means 79% chance it won't come back.
My radiation Oncologist told me that radiation would reduce my chance of recurrence to about 10%

I guess I have to be content with that.
Do any of us really know whether the treatment has worked? 
I asked my Oncologist and he said he just did everything he could and that we just had to hope, with ER +ve cancer there is never a 0 chance of it coming back.
But the Aromatase Inhibitors are supposed to be the next line of deference in preventing it.

I am ER+ve, PR+ve, HER -ve, but the first test came back equivocal (borderline) pathology from the mastectomy confirmed -ve though.
So I go onto Aromatase Inhibitors.

Your Oncologist can run through the graph with you if you want, or your Radiation Oncologist.

Maybe after you have finished your treatment you can go to the lymphodema clinic at your hospital and ask about your lack of nodes there. I understand there are people who are born with malformed lymph systems, and that even normal can vary greatly in number in different people.

Hi all, well it has been 3 months today since my diagnosis. Over this time I have had two surgeries (lumpectomy and ALND) and 3 rounds of EC. All in all I have managed ok but I am still confused and a little concerned about my pathology (ie no lymph nodes found in tissue taken from axilla- but stage 3 cancer found)I have spoken to oncologist, BCNA nurse and others and no one has seen it before. I just thought I would try again and see if anyone on this forum has this pathology or knows anyone that has. I guess I am just a little anxious to make sure the treatment plan is right and some info about prognosis would be good. Oncologist just says focus on fact that all cancer has been removed and chemo/radio etc will mop up any microscopic cells..... Any info would be great (also sorry about the typo in the title- I don't know how to fix it). thanks

Hi Kate, good grief ! That really sucks.......sometimes we all confuse science. Sounds like you are in good hands. Sending you a cyber cuddle xxx Keep checking in with us .......I hope hat we can support you along the way xxx

Thanks Kath. Will take the advice and take each day as it comes. X

Great to have a plan. Hopefully they have given you an information sheet on side effects, if not they will. Everyone varies a lot. Some find it really hard and others breeze through. We just don't know which one we will be until we start. We are here to help as needed. Take care. Kath.

Hi ac, great you have a plan and onc was so positive. Some find chemo harder than others so try not to stress to much, be kind to yourself, and tell your treatment team of any symptoms when they occur, they can usually be managed very well. I had a different chemo regime to you but I did have the 25 radiotherapy fractions to the same area you describe. I was able to call the nurse at any time if I had questions and the staff kept a very close eye on my skin. For me radiotherapy was easier than chemo but see how you feel. Just take it day by day, see how you feel and ask for help if you need it. You will come up with lots of questions as you process this and we are always here to help so well done for reaching out! So many of us have been where you are, or are even going through the same or similar things with you. With all my treatments, it helped me to think that the benefits always outweigh the risks or they wouldn't do it. Best wishes to you, Kate

Hi @ac, I do know one thing for sure, it does feel better when you have a plan and you can start doing something productive to banish the beast. We are all so different, so our treatment is different, but your treatment team will make the best decision for your particular situation. All the best for Wednesday and keep us posted with how you go. We are all here for help and support whenever you need it

Hi @Bellablor @KatyJoy @Tracey_B are you able to help @ac out?