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

ltam16
ltam16 Posts: 33

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!

Comments

  • maggie15
    maggie15 Posts: 2,176

    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
    ltam16 Posts: 33

    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.