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kazza4450's avatar
kazza4450
Member
11 years ago

How do people know nodes are clear straight after surgery :)

Hi to all :)

I was wondering a couple of things.

I too just had a lumpectomy and had a clump of nodes removed as apparently the dye didn't work as well as it should of and didn't pinpoint main node, so guessing that's why they took a clump.

My question was how do you know the grading straight after surgery and that the nodes are clear. I was told I have to wait around 10 days till my follow up appointment. And also have not been told the grading of the tumour either. All I have is the initial biopsy information that I have a invasive ductal carcinoma. 

I have read a few people have said they knew the nodes were clear. So ? would love some feedback how they got this information back to them soon after surgery etc.

Thanks for any feedback..xxx

7 Replies

  • Thanks everyone for the feedback with their experiences with this. 

    Looks like my surgeon hasn't wanted to say much before the pathology comes back, which is probably a good thing.

    Not too long too wait, going back on Tuesday for results.

    Learning patience, lol.

    Thanks Kathy for the message sent this arvo..xx

  • Hi Kazza

    This is Kathy from BCNA's policy team. The information about the grade of the cancer, and whether there is cancer in the lymph nodes, will be included in your pathology report. It requires a pathologist to look at the tissue sent to him or her by the breast surgeon, and run a number of tests etc on it. This takes some time. Your surgeon will have made a follow-up appointment for you at which time he or she will have the pathology report and be able to talk to you about your cancer and the next steps.

    I know it is a hard time waiting, but I'm afraid there is no other way to get this information any earlier.

    BCNA's pathology fact sheet may help you to understand more about breast cancer pathology, and how to understand your pathology report when you get it. You can ask your surgeon for a copy to take home.

    Best wishes. Let us know if you have any other queries.

    Kathy

  • Exactly what Hazel has said.They can take a quick look,but full pathology comes back after they send everything away to the lab.Cheers Robynxox

  • Hi,

    Hope you're recovering well.  My nodes from the sentinel node biopsy were initially clear during surgery.  Full pathology, however, came a few days later with what they consider micro-mets in 2 of 5 nodes.  Effectively that hasn't changed my treatment plan, as my medical oncologist was explaining to me she's basing my chemo on the initial size of the tumour, grading and type.  (That informaiton can take up to 10 postop)

  • Hi there, my surgeon came to see me as soon as I woke up and told me they had a quick look under the microscope in the operating room and the node they took looked clear. However, he said they couldn't be certain until the pathologist examined them in the lab and that would take some time. I found out the grade etc after the initial biopsy. All the best, 

    Hazel xx

  • Hi there

    in my case the surgeon rang me at home as soon as she got the pathology back after the lumpectomy. I think it was a couple of days after. We already knew the grade and type of cancer from the initial biopsy. Since you have had a biopsy this info should be available so maybe ask you surgeon for it? 

    All the best

    Lisa

     

     

  • Hi there, I didn't get my report until I had my follow up appointment about a week after surgery. I actually had a clump removed as well  the dr thought the second was what was called a "hot node"  he ended with six nodes. It was actually a good thing as the first node was positive but the others were all negative so that was a real comfort to me  

    Paula