Common questions / 18/05/2021

What percentage of breast cancer is in lymph nodes?

Six percent (6%) of women have cancer that has spread outside of the breast and regional lymph nodes at the time they are first diagnosed with breast cancer. This is called “de novo” metastatic breast cancer.

Does chemotherapy kill cancer in lymph nodes?

Chemotherapy may be given before surgery to shrink the tumor so less tissue needs to be removed. Chemotherapy before surgery also may kill cancer cells in the lymph nodes. Research suggests that neoadjuvant chemotherapy can completely destroy cancer cells in the lymph nodes in 40% to 70% of women.

What is the survival rate for breast cancer that has not reached the lymph nodes?

Breast cancer that has spread to lymph nodes may be treated more aggressively than if it hadn’t reached these nodes. The 5-year survival rate for breast cancer that hasn’t reached nearby lymph nodes is 99 percent versus 86 percent when it has. Breast cancer staging and lymph nodes

When to have surgery for breast cancer in lymph nodes?

Lymph Node Surgery for Breast Cancer. If breast cancer spreads, it typically goes first to nearby lymph nodes. Knowing whether the cancer has spread to your lymph nodes helps medical providers find the best way to treat your cancer.

Are there symptoms of breast cancer in the lymph nodes?

Are there symptoms of breast cancer in the lymph nodes? You probably wouldn’t notice if a few cancer cells reached a lymph node. As the number of cancer cells grows, symptoms can include lumps or swelling in the armpits or around the collarbone. It’s possible to have enlarged lymph nodes even if you haven’t discovered a lump in your breast.

What’s the odds of surviving breast cancer after 5 years?

However, women with a same-breast recurrence within five years have a distant metastasis rate of about 61%, which are slightly poorer odds. For women in which the recurrence of breast cancer happens in the chest wall within five years, the 5-year distant recurrence-free rate is about 42%.

Is it safe to leave lymph nodes behind after breast cancer surgery?

Recently, however, studies have shown that in some cases it may be just as safe to leave the rest of the lymph nodes behind. This is based on certain factors, such as the size of the breast tumor, what type of surgery is used to remove the tumor, and what treatment is planned after surgery.

How does lymph node status affect your prognosis?

My prayers are with you. Lymph node status is only one of the ways that breast cancer is classified. And, although 12 nodes are a lot, please remember that many with multiple nodes do go on and do well. The type of cancer, the size, whether it has spread to distant sites–all these factors also affect prognosis.