internal mammary nodes

Hi Natalia, I was diagnosed April 16 2012, I had an agressive grade 3, er/pr+ and her2- 3cm tumour at the 6 o'clock position in my right breast.......mastectomy, axilla clearance with 1/17 nodes positive. I also had an intramammary node involved which everyone dismissed saying it was neither here nor there as it was removed with my breast and I went on to have intensive chemotherapy. I started to question things and sought out an opinion from Prof Boyages in Sydney as I was due to start radiotherapy and he suggested radiation to the Internal Mammary chain and there was a clinical trial done on this which shows some benefit, I'm not sure what it was called though. I was only 37 at diagnosis with three small children so I am prepared to do anything to ensure it never comes back. I think it is excellent your are taking control of your own health and questioning things. Take care Joanne

Dear Joanne,

well done that you had second opininon and you are now will have radiotharapy to internal mammary chain (IMC) . As reserch shows malignancy of these nodes (or even one node) involves chemo first and than  radiotherapy of the internal mammary nodes chain as edition to the radiotherapy of any areas of concern, which can be breast, chest wall or axilla.

Thank you for giving me this information, as I might  see prof Boyages if need for second opinion.  I determined to get my IMN investigated , as there is risk of being undestaged and undertreated. So far it is grade 2, 17 mm tumor  with no axillary nodes involved (3 taken out). Still waiting for final pathology of the cell. I am questioning everything as I am one of near 40 women who were misdiagnosed by Breastscreen SA. I had my mammogram there on 24 April 2012,they called me back  on 1March 2013 for review of missed lump on initial mammogram, had appointment there on 5 March(mammogram, us, FNB)-diagnosed, but  ..... well 10.5 month later. 

I wish you all the best with radio and hugs to your little kidds. Thank you once more. Natalia

 

 

Dear Joanne,

well done that you had second opininon and you are now will have radiotharapy to internal mammary chain (IMC) . As reserch shows malignancy of these nodes (or even one node) involves chemo first and than  radiotherapy of the internal mammary nodes chain as edition to the radiotherapy of any areas of concern, which can be breast, chest wall or axilla.

Thank you for giving me this information, as I might  see prof Boyages if need for second opinion.  I determined to get my IMN investigated , as there is risk of being undestaged and undertreated. So far it is grade 2, 17 mm tumor  with no axillary nodes involved (3 taken out). Still waiting for final pathology of the cell. I am questioning everything as I am one of near 40 women who were misdiagnosed by Breastscreen SA. I had my mammogram there on 24 April 2012,they called me back  on 1March 2013 for review of missed lump on initial mammogram, had appointment there on 5 March(mammogram, us, FNB)-diagnosed, but  ..... well 10.5 month later. 

I wish you all the best with radio and hugs to your little kidds. Thank you once more. Natalia

 

 

Just read your post and you sound in " shock " with the whole thing, which is understandable. Waiting the  extra 10  months ( you did not know at the time )  is scary too, and I can understand your concerns re nodes in central chest area... I was stage two.. tumour was a few centimetres and one node involved in axillary clearance. Oest _ Prog _ I  forget HER status.. but I did not have Herceptin, nor tamoxifen. I did have chemo and radiation.

 I hope the second opinion gives you some peace. It is hard to " trust " someone with your life.  I had radiation to half the axilla and chest. I ended up having another tumour primary in the other breast a few years later, so had more radiation to other side of chest and axilla. The margins were close to the  chest wall and the oncologist said  radiation would help with the chest wall area involved.

It is good you have a chemo plan now. Regimes have changed since I had my chemo in 1998. I did not like it, but thought it would give me the best chance of survival if I did.. so I did.I think it was 3 months chemo, then radiation; then 3 more months chemo, from memory. It took me a few years to get back on track.. and to put the BC thing to one side, although I still do think about it every day, if only for a short while.

 Knock those cancer cells hard, to give you the best chance, then cross your fingers.

P.S. I was 42, now 57..... It IS a long haul and you may wonder " how will I get through all this ? " but you will. Just take it slowly.. day by day..time passes.. Afterwards, give yourself 12 months to get going again. You may not be the same as you were in many ways, physically and emotionally as you journey through BC. Go with all the emotions.. anger, sadness, joy, fear, regret, accept. Lean on people when you need to and keep searching for knowledge of what is best for you.

All the best, Kathy. ox.