Was an effected lymph node or nodes always found before mets was diagnosed?

I was wondering if an effected lymph node was discovered before a metastasis was diagnosed in anyone's experience with RCC? I do remember seeing one post where it was mentioned "the doctors at Dana Farber were puzzled" as there was no sign of impacted lymph nodes.

Comments

  • Texas_wedge
    Texas_wedge Member Posts: 2,798
    Metastasis
    Like most here, I'm just an interested party trying to pick up information as I go along, with no special knowledge. As far as I've gathered, there are three ways that metastasis occurs - by direct encroachment of a tumour into adjacent tissues, by transport of cancer cells in the bloodstream or in the lymphatic circulation system. If that's correct, mets. can occur without any involvement of lymph nodes.
  • lbinmsp
    lbinmsp Member Posts: 266
    Lymph Nodes
    During my initial surgery (radical nephrectomy) lymph nodes were sampled with no disease present. I'm on my second recurrance now and again, no lymph system involvement.
  • foxhd
    foxhd Member Posts: 3,181 Member
    lbinmsp said:

    Lymph Nodes
    During my initial surgery (radical nephrectomy) lymph nodes were sampled with no disease present. I'm on my second recurrance now and again, no lymph system involvement.

    lymph nodes
    I had at least one lymph node involved at time of surgery. 2 or 3 more were tested and and found to be clean. 8 months later, not so good.