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Lymph node involvement under the sternum

Kristen Ann
Kristen Ann CSN Member Posts: 2
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
I was diagnosed with IDC Jan. 2010. I had 4 rounds of AC and 4 rounds of taxol. Double mastectomy followed by 27 rounds of radiation (finished radiation Aug 16). Lymph node involvement under the arm (1/13 had cancer) and 2 lymph nodes under the sternum were cancerous. Just wondering if anyone else has had lymph node involvement under the sternum. PET scan came back clear (for all the nodes) before my surgery, but after the surgery the pathology report showed there was one node under the arm that still had cancer. I keep wondering if the lymph nodes under the sternum still had cancer. 6 weeks went by from the time of my last chemo until I started radiation and I keep thinking maybe they became active. So I'm wondering if anyone has gone through this. I was on Arimidex for a week and started getting back pain. Dr. told me to stop taking the med. It has been 2 weeks since I stopped taking the med. but the pain in my mid/lower back hasn't gotten any better and some days it seems to be getting worse. Hard to bend down, try sitting down, or getting back up. I wonder if the cancer has come back. Talked to my oncologist and was told I need to contact my regular physician and start there because she didn't think it was cancer. Needless to say I am worried. I would like a PET scan or MRI done to ease my mind but I don't know if that will happen. If anyone has any info I would greatly appreciate it. Thanks for your time.
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Comments

  • Marcia527
    Marcia527 CSN Member Posts: 2,729
    #2
    All I can say is when I went
    All I can say is when I went to my onc with pains he always ran tests to rule out cancer. If it wasn't then sent me to someone else. She doesn't THINK it's cancer. Voice your concern and make her address it. Mine didn't think it was return of cancer either but until the tests are run it's just not known.
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  • smalldoggroomer
    smalldoggroomer CSN Member Posts: 1,184
    #3
    Welcome Kristen
    I am so sorry for what has happened to you. You have been through so much and now this. When you had your surgery did they take lymph nodes out and didn't get it all? Or did they not take them? I may be wrong but I thought they tested them as they took them out until they got clear margins. How affective was your chemo? Did it shrink the tumor? and the nodes? I'm of the same thinking as you I would want some test done and some answers. My prayers are with you. Please keep us posted. Take care Kay P.S. could be time for a new Dr.
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  • New Flower
    New Flower CSN Member Posts: 4,294 Member
    #4
    smalldoggroomer said:

    Welcome Kristen
    I am so sorry for what has happened to you. You have been through so much and now this. When you had your surgery did they take lymph nodes out and didn't get it all? Or did they not take them? I may be wrong but I thought they tested them as they took them out until they got clear margins. How affective was your chemo? Did it shrink the tumor? and the nodes? I'm of the same thinking as you I would want some test done and some answers. My prayers are with you. Please keep us posted. Take care Kay P.S. could be time for a new Dr.

    Welcome Kristen
    Absolutely you need to try to get PET.Scan. Cancer should be ruled out. Probably it is a time to change oncologist or find a caring primary care who will help you out.
    Hugs.
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  • Kristen Ann
    Kristen Ann CSN Member Posts: 2
    #5
    Marcia527 said:

    All I can say is when I went
    All I can say is when I went to my onc with pains he always ran tests to rule out cancer. If it wasn't then sent me to someone else. She doesn't THINK it's cancer. Voice your concern and make her address it. Mine didn't think it was return of cancer either but until the tests are run it's just not known.

    Thanks You!!
    I will be seeing my regular Dr. this week. I will voice my concerns to her and ask if she can schedule the PET scan. If she can't I will again contact my onc. Thanks for the encouragement!!!
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  • Angie2U
    Angie2U CSN Member Posts: 2,991
    #6
    Kristen Ann said:

    Thanks You!!
    I will be seeing my regular Dr. this week. I will voice my concerns to her and ask if she can schedule the PET scan. If she can't I will again contact my onc. Thanks for the encouragement!!!

    If necessary, demand more
    If necessary, demand more testing. You need to feel better and to know. Your oncologist shouldn't mind running more tests to rule out cancer and to find out why you are in pain. Good luck!
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  • lanapriest
    lanapriest CSN Member Posts: 4
    #7
    lymph nodes under sternum
    my friend, i believe, has this. she has not found anybody with her same symptoms. i believe it would really help her to be able to talk to. please respond. thank you
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