Lymph node removed but pathology says no evidence of lymphatic tissue found!

ltam16

Has anybody had masectomy with sentinel lymph node removed but pathology says no lymphatic tissue found? I’m seeing breast surgeon tomorrow and oncologist next week. Will I need another procedure? I’m not sure I’m comfortable not having lymph node tested as this is my second time having breast cancer!

maggie15

Hi @ltam16, Surgeons are supposed to put lymph nodes in a separate labeled container. It’s possible that the containers were separated and the lymph nodes are somewhere in the pathology lab. After a thyroidectomy my pathology report mentioned only the left lobe and isthmus. The right lobe was found in a fridge. They said refrigerated tissue is OK for up to three weeks. I hope you don’t have to undergo another procedure but I agree that you need the results of a SLNB. The surgeon should investigate right away.

ltam16

thanks for your reply. If I read the report correctly it was in a separate container but no lymph tissue was found in that container. I will wait to to see what Dr says tomorrow.

otter

@ltam16, did they ever find your missing lymph node(s)?

ltam16

no and my plastic surgeon, breast surgeon, and oncologist are not concerned because my oncotype was low and that was the only area that lit up. In the back of my head I’m concerned but I trust my doctors.

otter

Sounds like a good plan!