No lymph node involvement but mets?

MomMichelle
MomMichelle Member Posts: 93
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
Just putting this out there. Is it common for people to have no node involvement but have cancer somewhere else in their body? I was never really fully staged with all types of diagnostic tests. I had a 4mm invasion of a HER2+ cancer, no nodes and what appeared to be no vascular involvement. I have been having shoulder pain and got really worried that it could be bone mets. Had a scan on Friday and driving myself crazy waiting for results. It was one if those things too that I felt like the person doing the scan didn't look me in the eye after it was done, like he knew there was something there. You know how your mind goes. Just wondering about the probability of it already being spread.

Comments

  • roseyposey333
    roseyposey333 Member Posts: 68
    #2
    feel for you
    i know the feeling, i had no lymph node involvement either and often wonder about the rest of my body. The doctors seem to take this type of thing lightly saying things like, " you are lucky and shouldn't worry". Not sure if being overly cautious is the way to go either but I don't think I will ever be relaxed again as far as any new cancers showing up.

    But Michelle, I think you should take care of yourself and keep a positive outlook, sounds like you are taking charge of your life by getting checked out. Keep me posted.
  • survivorbc09
    survivorbc09 Member Posts: 4,374 Member
    #3
    roseyposey333 said:

    feel for you
    i know the feeling, i had no lymph node involvement either and often wonder about the rest of my body. The doctors seem to take this type of thing lightly saying things like, " you are lucky and shouldn't worry". Not sure if being overly cautious is the way to go either but I don't think I will ever be relaxed again as far as any new cancers showing up.

    But Michelle, I think you should take care of yourself and keep a positive outlook, sounds like you are taking charge of your life by getting checked out. Keep me posted.

    I don't know, but, I hope
    I don't know, but, I hope someone might know. Good luck to you and keep us updated!


    Hugs, Jan
  • cahjah75
    cahjah75 Member Posts: 2,631
    #4
    Michelle that's what
    I wondered too! I had bilateral mastectomy w/no lymph node involvement. The sentinel node + 2 on ILC side and 6 lymph nodes on LCIS side. All were clean but because my tumor was 6.1 cm my oncologist sent me for a PET scan last Monday. I'm hoping to get the results when I go for 2nd chemo Tuesday. I have arthritis so always have joint pain. I don't know how to differentiate between that and what could be something to worry about. I hope you get clean results from your scan. What scan did you have done?
    Char
  • jo jo
    jo jo Member Posts: 1,175
    #5
    Hi Michelle...i have also
    Hi Michelle...i have also had alot of shoulder pain and have been seeing my physical therapist and they tell me its my muscles tensing up and i cant even lift it beyond the heighth of my shoulder and it feels like its bone rubbing against bone...i never even thought about bone mets. Im sure its not but my mind is sure wondering about it now.
    I hope your scan comes out clear and that your mind was just running away with you, like mine.
  • roseann4
    roseann4 Member Posts: 992 Member
    #6
    survivorbc09 said:

    I don't know, but, I hope
    I don't know, but, I hope someone might know. Good luck to you and keep us updated!


    Hugs, Jan

    This breast cancer is unpredictable.
    I wish I knew! I'm Stage 1 and my doctors say that the lymph nodes are an important indicator of whether or not the cancer has left the breast. There are many women who had positive lymph nodes and did not have recurrences. Then I've heard about women who had negative lymph node involvement and the cancer was found somewhere else in the body. My oncotypedx test said I have a 12% chance of recurrence within 10 years so I guess it is possible. My oncologist said the biggest risk is in the first 2 years for some reason.

    I suggest you take one step at a time. I wouldn't recommend second guessing the tech and why he/she wouldn't make eye contact. They do this all day so maybe we just become a number.

    I can get my self worrying as I have a great imagination. I can imagine you are having the same problem. Whatever happens, you will be fine. There are lots of bc treatments now. Hugs.
  • Angie2U
    Angie2U Member Posts: 2,991
    #7
    cahjah75 said:

    Michelle that's what
    I wondered too! I had bilateral mastectomy w/no lymph node involvement. The sentinel node + 2 on ILC side and 6 lymph nodes on LCIS side. All were clean but because my tumor was 6.1 cm my oncologist sent me for a PET scan last Monday. I'm hoping to get the results when I go for 2nd chemo Tuesday. I have arthritis so always have joint pain. I don't know how to differentiate between that and what could be something to worry about. I hope you get clean results from your scan. What scan did you have done?
    Char

    Praying for clean results
    Praying for clean results with your scan!

Discussion Boards