I'm sorry to hear this news. I know I would be scared.
However the diagnosis you received is one given with very early detection. Things should go well for you. The
Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy is to check for the spread of cancer to the lymph nodes in the arm pit. There is another procedure also for this purpose, however it is more invasive.
When you meet your doctor/surgeon ask about the cancer grade/level of aggression in your case, and about
Axillary Lymph Node Dissection (the more invasive, standard procedure). The fact that they have chosen to do a Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy would suggest to me a lower grade (slow-spreading) cancer, but it doesn't hurt to ask what their reason was for the choice.
Now i am going to pause and send you lots of
s in case you decide you would prefer not to read the rest for now.
Below, I am going to paste the links/quotes with fuller descriptions of terms and procedures, and you can choose to read or to skip.
hang in there, BJ. you can beat this!
~ waves ~ sending healing vibes
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more information
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For everyone, since i had to look it up... DCIS - means
Duct Carcinoma In Situ and is generally used to mean the earliest detection of breast cancer. With early detection typically there is a better prognosis. They perform other procedures to ascertain whether there has been any spread.
For more information on all the various aspects of DCIS the full
Mayo Clinic article is helpful.
Cited below are full descriptions of the lymph node investigation procedures. The full article has diagrams as well, and is located at:
http://www.cancernews.com/data/Article/202.asp
Quote:
Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy:
A sentinel lymph node biopsy is a new technique. This was developed as a test to determine if breast cancer has spread to the lymph ducts or lymph nodes in the axilla without having to do a traditional axillary lymph node dissection. Experience has shown us that the lymph ducts of the breast usually drain to one lymph node first, before draining through the rest of the lymph nodes underneath the arm. That first lymph node is called the sentinel lymph node. That is the lymph node that helps sound the warning that the cancer has spread. Lymph node mapping helps identify that lymph node, and a sentinel lymph node biopsy removes only that lymph node. The sentinel lymph node is identified in one of two ways, either by a weak radioactive dye (technetium-labeled sulfur colloid) that can be measured by a hand held probe, or by a blue dye (isosulfan blue) that stains the lymph tissue a bright blue so it can be seen. Most breast cancer surgeons use a combination of both dyes. This procedure is new. The “best” way to administer the dye, which dye to use, and the benefits and risks of the procedure in various situations is still being studied. A traditional axillary lymph node dissection is the “tried and true” method, and is still considered the “gold standard”.
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Quote:
Axillary Lymph Node Dissection:
Traditionally, if your breast cancer is invasive, an axillary lymph node dissection is recommended by your surgeon in order to see if the cancer has spread to the lymph nodes underneath the arm. During an axillary lymph node dissection, the surgeon makes an incision underneath your arm, and removes the bulk of the lymph node tissue that drains from the breast. The lymph node tissue is then sent to the laboratory, and a pathologist looks at the lymph nodes under a microscope and determines if any of them contain cancer. On average, approximately 10 to 15 lymph nodes are removed with this operation. An axillary lymph node dissection usually requires an overnight stay in the hospital. Since the remaining tissues underneath the arm tend to “leak” some lymph fluid when the lymph nodes are removed, a drain is left in place for the first 2-3 weeks after the operation until the area heals. The drain is a flexible plastic tube that exits the skin, and is connected to a plastic collection bulb. When the drainage diminishes to a certain amount, the drain is removed in the clinic. After you go home you are given physical therapy exercises to maintain strength and flexibility in your shoulder while this area heals. Approximately 5-10% of the patients who undergo an axillary lymph node dissection experience chronic problems related to the dissection such as arm swelling (lymphedema), or pain or discomfort in the area of the dissection. Almost all women will have some residual numbness under the inside of the arm.
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An alternative source (but no pictures here):
Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy: Q & A from the National Cancer Institute.