Occult Primary with Lymph Node Metastases
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I started to reply, but I don't have occult with lymph node metastasis. I'm sure someone will come in and say hi. I do have occult but not to my lymph nodes that I know of.
I'm sorry you had to join, but there are a lot of great women with so much knowledge in this forum.
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Hi MMinNC, We are so thinking of you! It's hard to hear this diagnosis. This thread where you are posting has been inactive for some time, so you may want to post elsewhere. Anyway, you are NOT alone and there are amazing people here in the community who will help guide you along with all its ups and downs.
Message any time!
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HI Snaffle53,
I was diagnosed with occult BC in Nov 2016 based on enlarged lymph node. Mammo, ultrasound and MRI all showed no breast tumor. Treated at Sloan Kettering: first chemo (AC-T), then sentinel node biopsy. By the time they did the surgery, all traces of cancer were gone from the node so they only took a total of 3 lymph nodes. Next I had 5 weeks of whole breast radiation and now I'm on Tamoxifen (couldn't handle side effects of aromatase inhibitors). I have been cancer free for almost 4 years now. While I had some complications throughout, this treatment plan worked for me.
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I had same diagnosis. I see you are in 2013 , long time ago. I’m having bad ptsd about not doing a. Masectomy but they didn’t suggest it then either . I had 11 nodes removed . 6 still positive had lymph chin, node dissection , radiation . Just curious how you’re doing and what you decided on treatment , masectomy or not ?
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Hi @jenn92 , welcome to the community. We just wanted to let you know that @kirklandgal hasn’t been active on the boards since 2017, so she may not see your question.
You’re welcome to try sending her a private message, but you may also want to start a new thread with your questions. That’s often the best way to get the attention of members who are currently active and who’ve been through something similar.
We’re glad you found us, and we hope others will chime in to support you soon. Please let us know if there’s anything we can help with.
Warmly,
The Mods
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Hi Jen -
I didn't do a mastectomy and am now almost 13 years out n- and still cancer free.
First, I had an axillary lymph node dissection and port placement (protocols from 2013 were different than now to some extent). I ended up having 4 positive lymph nodes - I don't recall how many were removed. Then went on to have chemo and radiation. There were problems with my chemo that I don't want to go into detail here - summary is bad oncologist who didn't listen to me when I told her about side effects, which has resulted in long term problems for me.
If I had it to do again, I would still not do a mastetomy. But I would also get a different oncologist and do less chemo too.
I also didn't do Tamoxifen (even though I am ER+, PR+, HER2+). Because I felt that I had been over-chemo'd and was already having a lot of chemo related health problems by then.
If you have any specific questions, feel free to PM me.
Good luck! And listen to your gut (get a second opinion if your gut doesn't agree with your physicians).
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Hello all 💕
I got diagnosed with Occult breast cancer on 02/05/2026. I am triple positive (ER+PR+HER2+).
First step is chemo (TCHP) that will start next week on 03/03/2026.
I am grateful I found this community because it is so rare and it is hard to find someone to talk to about this particular scenario.I wish all of you fast recovery and be completely healthy and healed!
Hope to learn more and help you, support you in whatever way I can 🫶🏼
sincerely,
Natalia
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