You are here:

Breast Cancer/Breast Cancer Lymph Node

Advertisement

Expert: - 10/24/2008


Question
Hi, My 38 year old sister was just diagnosed with Invasive Ductal Carcinoma. The mass was 1 cm. She just had a sentinal node biopsy and (4) axillary nodes removed as well. The sentinal node was positive for cancer, but there was a node attached to the sentinal that tested negative. The anxillary nodes were also negative. My question is, is is the prognosis better if only the sentinal node was positive? If the sentinal node was removed does that mean the cancer has not spread, since it was not in the other nodes?

THank you very much for your help.


Answer
Well, it has at least spread to the sentinel node which automatically makes it a stage 3. And that is not good. That means that both radiation therapy and chemotherapy should be given and if possible anti hormonal therapy too.
It is impossible to know at present if it has spread any further. that is why all these other therapies should be used.

Breast Cancer

All Answers

Answers by Expert:

Ask Experts

Volunteer

Claes-Gustaf Nordquist, M.D.

Expertise

I`m a doctor of medicine and a specialist in radiation therapy and medical oncology. I have long experience in diagnostics and treatment of breast tumours.

Experience

I'm a Doctor of Medicine and specialist in Medical Oncology and Radiation Therapy educated & trained in Sweden. Now retired. Background in Radiation Therapy, Medical Oncology, Radiation Protection, Nuclear Medicine, Diagnostic Radiology, Gynecological Oncology, Clinical Pathology, Clinical Cytology,Hematology and Internal Medicine. M.D. from the faculty of medicine, Royal Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden. Have also been an exchange student at the Hebrew University, Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem Israel. Former medical consultant, Swedish National Board of Radiation Protection. Former Police Surgeon and Medical Examiner, Stockholm Police Department. Former Chief Medical Officer, The Royal Guards, The Royal Horse Guards and the Royal Household Brigade, Royal Swedish Army Medical Corps.You can also reach me on: http://www.lifestylerescue.com/expert/health-fitness-advice/dr-claes-gustaf/128 I have no restrictions on the number of questions there.

I also answer questions about Oncology (General Cancer), General History, Military History, Brain Tumors, Colon Cancer

Education/Credentials
I'm a medical doctor and specialist in medical oncology and radiation therapy.

©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.