Lymph node visibility in imaging
Hello,
I've been reading these forums for a few weeks and finding them very helpful - thank you to all that share their knowledge.
I'm trying to understand more about lymph nodes and imaging.
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Forum Discussion
Its kinda good they caught them and they showed up in a scan and now you can remove them .At least they checked and didn't assume nothing was there when only a smal tumor in breast.
Each scan has different views and done for different reasons and can see different things. Nodes are quite small and grouped and would be hard to see changes .
Cancer by nature are mutants cells and unpredictable.
It very common to have a pre surgery/ chemo test say one thing when they only take a tiny biopsy of one node , then the results change later after some treatment and surgery when they can get bigger sample for more patholgy . Or even have very early BC ,chemo , double masectomy with recon , then cancer cells turn up later and need axillary dissection.
Lymph nodes are weird, its funny how there is no standard number everyone has. They do their job and filter.
Do make sure you get a presurgery ImpediMed bioimpedance spectomter sozo scan if you can, and haven't already. Having a baseline makes it easier to track fluid levels in your arms once the post surgeical swelling goes down.
I can't even remember , but they showed up on something mamo or us, had biopsys , cat scan then bone scan,mastectomy & nodes got choped out and all got tested , cancer was in 4 out of 11 nodes.,chemo , radio .... still here 18 years later .
Got lymphodema ,not that everyone does , but that can be easily managed once you learn how and get the hang of it,get used ot wearing a sleeve etc, early detection & being proactive makes a big difference so no one needs to end up with a big arm. Now a days with early screening programs implimented in many public and private cancer clinincs and private therapist , the incidence of anyone getting lymphodema in the first few years is reduced dramatically thanks to modern research and programs and BIS machines. Something like 90% people can be prevented from developing lymphoedema.
Lymphatics are amazing part of our body I never new i had until BC, how they compensate when injured and move fluid like tree roots and intereact with digestive and circulatory system .Don't be scared of lymphoedema- its more important to get rid of the cancer.
Thank you Kristen - sounds like you've been through a lot.
I've never heard of a BIS machine so I'll try and look into whether that's an option somewhere near here. So far my googling isn't showing up anything but hopefully my breast care nurse will know more.
Lymphodema does worry me living in a regional area and wondering what precautions I will need to take long term, whether I can continue my physical outdoors job, etc. Hopefully another thing that my breast care nurse can help me understand.
Thank you for your wise words.
https://www.impedimed.com/patients/find-a-provider/
That is the link to find the BIS machines. But yep in country towns probably not around as they are expensive machines so only big centres have them.
Its not a problem if you don't. Good old tape measure has worked for many years. Plus it is something you can learn or be taught via video conferencing if you start to notice any heavyness , ache, tight clothes or jewllery or swelling. Learning your risk, and what to watch for, what and where /how you can access any support if needed can help take the fear out of it.
It won't happen suddenly. and there is no reason you won't be able to be physical - in fact the more muscle you have the better it move lymph fluid.
Sometimes it just needs to be taught to take another route since the main highway has been washed/cut out.
BCNA have some great webinars, this is one specially for beginners who don't have lymphodema , just need some info. Like being a bit more careful with cuts and bites .prompt hygiene, if at risk . Wearing a compression sleeve if swelling does start. ( In some cases it may help before swellign starts- that the benefit of the BIS machine) We have a huge benefit just knowing about it. It can be managed, life continues, breast cancer just sometimes rejusts some things . https://www.bcna.org.au/resources/webcasts/understanding-lymphoedema-following-breast-cancer-treatment/