What does "node not identified" mean

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sunshine_65
sunshine_65 Member Posts: 21 Member
in Breast Cancer #1
Just had sentinel node biopsy and lumpectomy 2/24/17. Surgeon just said it went well and preliminary node analysis looked "clear."
Yesterday I read online on my health report that the sentinel lymph node procedure found "node not identified"
I cannot get any doctors to respond to my question about the meaning of this phrase
(Despite trying) and nothing on the internet clarifies his either
Does anyone know what "not identified" means after slab. 4 nodes were removed.
Thanks,

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  • SLS100
    SLS100 Member Posts: 37
    edited March 2017 #2
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    not identified

    I am not sure about the node not identified but I had the genetic testing done and came back negative braca 1 and braca 2. But I still had 'variant' on braca 2. Oncologist says that happens about thalf the time. I am equally frustrated at not being able to get answers!

  • disneyfan2008
    disneyfan2008 Member Posts: 6,583 Member
    edited March 2017 #3
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    i did search-not sure if this relates to your or not

    Breast Cancer Topic: Sentinel node not identified - Breast Cancer Discussion Boards - Breastcancer.org




    Oct 7, 2016 - 3 posts - ‎2 authors

    My surgeon was not able to identify the sentinel nodes either. The dye never made it to the nodes. She removed a bunch of nodes. About 15 or ...

  • sunshine_65
    sunshine_65 Member Posts: 21 Member
    edited March 2017 #4
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    disneyfan2008 said:

    i did search-not sure if this relates to your or not

    Breast Cancer Topic: Sentinel node not identified - Breast Cancer Discussion Boards - Breastcancer.org




    Oct 7, 2016 - 3 posts - ‎2 authors

    My surgeon was not able to identify the sentinel nodes either. The dye never made it to the nodes. She removed a bunch of nodes. About 15 or ...

    Finally got
    thanks to all of you for coming up with all of these leads!
    I also found the website listing just above, but finally got word that 4 nodes were indeed identified and were visually identified as not cancerous. Final pathology report received yesterday lists all 4 nodes removed and tested were found negative for cancer. I still cannot get anyone to tell me why "not identified" was in my first report. This makes no sense to me. Next step is to talk to oncologist about radiation or not. Tumor was 35mm.
  • sunshine_65
    sunshine_65 Member Posts: 21 Member
    #5
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    Thanks --still not sure what was not idendified
    yesterday's final report says 4 nodes identified, removed, and all 4 found not cancerous.
    So the first report still makes no sense, unless it meant cancer was not identified in the nodes.
    They could have written that more clearly in the initial report in my view.
    Very frustrating -- had to write 5 emails before getting a human being.

    They never did explain what that phrase meant in my case but I am happy with final report.
    Next step is whether to radiate or not. Something I know a bit about having gone through 8 weeks of it for tonsil cancer 5 years ago.

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