Sentinel Lymph Node vs. Axillary Lymph Node

cinnamonsmile
cinnamonsmile Member Posts: 1,187 Member
edited July 2011 in Breast Cancer #1
I was looking at my pathology report from my BMX from 1/11/11. After reading these boards all these months, I sure have gained more knowledge and could understand it better. HOWEVER, my surgeon had told me that she did sentinel lymph nodes only, but after reading the pathology report, three axillary lymph nodes were removed and one sentinel lymph node on the right cancer side. Only three sentinel lymph nodes were taken out on the left. I have severe post mastectomy pain syndrome/neuropathy which is worse on the right. My surgeon poo-pooed the idea of me taking lymphedema precautions because in her words, it was only the sentinel lymph nodes removed, but according to the path. report, it was actually axillary nodes (Since then , I now refuse all bps and needle pricks on my arms). Could this explain my worse post mastectomy pain syndrome symptoms on the right and should this make me more cautious of lymphedema developing as opposed to only having the sentinel nodes removed?My surgeon has long been fired for other reasons and I have no oncologist so I really don't have a dr. to ask.
I do not have any signs of lymphedema. I am currently in occupational therapy for pain, and she is also a lymphedema therapist (although she is not registered in the national registry. There are no certified LE therapists in a driving distance for me, and seeing that I don't have any signs, I can't see making the drive.

Comments

  • mamolady
    mamolady Member Posts: 796 Member
    #2
    The sentinel node is the
    The sentinel node is the first node from the breast tissue. They inject blue die and the first node to light up is the sentinel node. Typically they will check that one, if it is clean they presume the rest are clean. Anything in the armpit, after the sentinel node, is an axillary node. Axillary is just the location.
    My understanding is that with only 3 nodes removed, lymph edema should be less of a concern. One would be even less. Some people have 15 or more. Still precautions aren't a bad idea.
    Check with a LE specialist. There are exercises and massages that will help prevent LE.

    Cindy
  • mruczko
    mruczko Member Posts: 110
    #3
    Sentinel Lymph node
    Some time ago a breast surgeon attended our monthly breast cancer support meeting. I brought up my chronic pain situation and complained about having had 18 lymph nodes removed. She told us that sometimes a person can have a problem with only a few nodes removed, although the likelihood of this happening is much lower. The incidence of lymph edema, too, is lower when fewer nodes are removed, but still can happen. It's always better to be safe than sorry. At one of the meetings one of the husbands spoke up, he was furious, his wife was admitted late at night to the hospital for a non-cancer related issue, when he came to visit the next day an automatic blood pressure cuff was on the "bad" side, inflating every 15 . I understand that the further out one is from surgery, the lower the likelihood ominutes or so. Although this was 2 years after surgery, his wife developed edema.
    My lymph edema bracelet looks too much like jewellery. Do you have any idea where I can get a couple of really bright ones, one to wear and one for my purse as was suggested in one of the posts? Like you, I am learing more from reading these posts then I ever did. Wished I'd have known that much before.
    M.
  • Alexis F
    Alexis F Member Posts: 3,598
    #4
    mamolady said:

    The sentinel node is the
    The sentinel node is the first node from the breast tissue. They inject blue die and the first node to light up is the sentinel node. Typically they will check that one, if it is clean they presume the rest are clean. Anything in the armpit, after the sentinel node, is an axillary node. Axillary is just the location.
    My understanding is that with only 3 nodes removed, lymph edema should be less of a concern. One would be even less. Some people have 15 or more. Still precautions aren't a bad idea.
    Check with a LE specialist. There are exercises and massages that will help prevent LE.

    Cindy

    I just had the sentinel node
    I just had the sentinel node removed and it was clean, so, no others were removed. I am sorry you are having this pain. I hope something will help you with it. Cindy is right in checking with a LE specialist. Is there one there at your hospital?


    Lex
  • cinnamonsmile
    cinnamonsmile Member Posts: 1,187 Member
    #5
    mruczko said:

    Sentinel Lymph node
    Some time ago a breast surgeon attended our monthly breast cancer support meeting. I brought up my chronic pain situation and complained about having had 18 lymph nodes removed. She told us that sometimes a person can have a problem with only a few nodes removed, although the likelihood of this happening is much lower. The incidence of lymph edema, too, is lower when fewer nodes are removed, but still can happen. It's always better to be safe than sorry. At one of the meetings one of the husbands spoke up, he was furious, his wife was admitted late at night to the hospital for a non-cancer related issue, when he came to visit the next day an automatic blood pressure cuff was on the "bad" side, inflating every 15 . I understand that the further out one is from surgery, the lower the likelihood ominutes or so. Although this was 2 years after surgery, his wife developed edema.
    My lymph edema bracelet looks too much like jewellery. Do you have any idea where I can get a couple of really bright ones, one to wear and one for my purse as was suggested in one of the posts? Like you, I am learing more from reading these posts then I ever did. Wished I'd have known that much before.
    M.

    There is a recent discussion
    There is a recent discussion topic called Medic-Alert Jewelry you can look for in the search. Between this site and breastcancer.org I have found two sites that offer alert bracelets for limb restrictions. The American Cancer Society at www.tlcdirect.com sells them and so does the national lymphedema network, http://www.shop.lymphnet.org/product.sc?productId=190.

    I think I will be looking for one that looks the LEAST like regular jewelry, Nurses can sometimes miss my bright orange wrist bands that I wear on both wrists at clinics I go to.

    I would prefer that I have one because should they choose to ignore it, put bp cuffs, needle pokes or ivs in my arms and I have severe pain or other complications from it, I have some recourse in my right to complain about my treatment.

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