sentinel biopsy before mastectomy?

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richreilly@hotmail.com - 21 Dec 2004 21:57 GMT

Is this the normal sequence of surgery?

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ABdikjse - 22 Dec 2004 03:49 GMT

sentinel biopsy before mastectomy? Is this the normal sequence of surgery?

Not usual to my knowledge (which is, admittedly, limited to what I read here
and on other BC boards.)

Why? Why not check the sentinal node at time of surgery and get it all done at
once? Would doing it ahead of time change anything? --- Sounds like an
'additional procedure' that doesn't SEEM necessary, but perhaps the doctor has
a good reason for doing so. -- Suggest you ask him/her.
Lady8

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richreilly@hotmail.com - 22 Dec 2004 18:16 GMT

Sorry,
I meant chronology in terms of the one surgery: SLN biopsy, then
mastectomy. I have since learned that is the normal route since teh dye
needs to be injected into teh tumor so tha woudl be impossible after
the mastectomy.

> sentinel biopsy before mastectomy? Is this the normal sequence of surgery?
>
[quoted text clipped - 6 lines]
> a good reason for doing so. -- Suggest you ask him/her.
> Lady8

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Ricketsey - 29 Dec 2004 13:15 GMT

> Sorry,
> I meant chronology in terms of the one surgery: SLN biopsy, then
[quoted text clipped - 16 lines]
>> a good reason for doing so. -- Suggest you ask him/her.
>> Lady8

I had the sentinal node operation in 2001. Three were removed with the help
of the radiation detector and two were positive. Dr Neil said if any were
positive the whole lot needed to be removed and peformed this operation.

Please note that Herceptin is a cure if tests on the tumor are positive. I
have been having this and Z for about 6 months (every 3 weeks) and have made
a remarkable recovery. About 1 person in five has the type of tumor that is
Her +.

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Kaye301 - 30 Dec 2004 15:13 GMT

<< Please note that Herceptin is a cure if tests on the tumor are positive. I
have been having this and Z for about 6 months (every 3 weeks) and have made
a remarkable recovery. About 1 person in five has the type of tumor that is
Her +.

>><BR><BR>

Glad to hear that you are doing well. Herceptin is a remarkable drug but it is
not necessarily one that will cure someone with Her2+ breast cancer. It can,
however, prolong disease-free survival. About 25 to 30% of breast cancers test
positive for the Her2+ factor.
I was dx'd with 3 types of aggressive b.c. in 3/01 and included in my care was
a year of Herceptin. This was after receiving 4 cycles of AC, radiation, and
during 4 taxane treatments. I am also on an aromatase inhibitor as well.

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