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KC1's avatar
KC1
Member
13 years ago

Is ancillary dissection necessary ?

Hi all. Sentinel node tested positive am due to have more nodes taken out today. I have been up all night driving myself mad. Just found an article saying axcilliary dissection may not be needed and a study done in 2011 showed no benefits ( only over 6 yrs though. ) Has anyone heard this? I think I need a chat with my Dr before surgery. http://www.breastcancer.org/research-news/20110208. It seems to have been widely reported in the press in the Uk and USA but not here. Thanks Karen.

2 Replies

  • KC1's avatar
    KC1
    Member
    13 years ago
    Hi Louise Thanks for yor reply. When was your surgery? I did go ahead with the surgery in the end. My surgeon had heard of the study but said it was flawed as all of the women had chemo. Also no further studies were done. He said I could not have the op but would need chemo. So I decided to go ahead. The extra nodes taken were all clear, so one the one hand it was unnecessary but I won't complain about good results. Many thanks. Karen.
  • TonyaM's avatar
    TonyaM
    Member
    13 years ago

    I had a full auxillary node clearance back in 2003.That was when taking just the sentinal node was still in trial.My surgeon told me that there is a 5% risk   that a cancer cell can skip the sentinal node and travel to another node, therefore going undetected.Talk to your doctor about these risks cos it may have changed.I don't really have any problems with my arm-just feels heavy if I overdo it. I also have complete numbness under my arm.All my 18 nodes were clear but I have no regrets.I wouldn't have wanted to keep going back for more surgery if they weren't. Keep asking questions so you can be comfortable with your decision -then do what feels right for you .Best wishes, Tonya xx