sentinel node biopsy drainage

[Ri51]

I had breast surgery 2 weeks ago for invasive ductal carcinoma.  They removed the sentinel nodes and I have had leaking from the node site continuously since the surgery. How long should the incision continue to drain?

[Ri51]

Thank you so much for your response. I too feel hopeful that no other nodes were involved.  i will be getting the patholgy report back on the 26th of May.  I am healing nicely from the axillary node dissection. and I'm staying very positive. I will keep you posted  with results.  Thanks again..

[japdip]

Usually the Sentinel nodes are the first affected by any cancer cells that may have migrated from the original site. If the second node was neg. I would doubt that other axillary nodes are involved but it is a possibility. Your treatment will no doubt involve some type of Chemotherapy rather than only Radiation and Hormone Therapy after Surgery.    Regards ....

[Ri51]

The pathology report came back last week positive for one sentinel node. The other sentinel node and one other lymph node that were removed were negative.  This past week  I underwent an auxillary lymph node disection  and I am now waiting again for news of the lymph nodes that were removed.  The waiting is very difficult as you all know. I am trying to stay very positive. I keep reminding myself that one node out of three are good odds, but I still worry about the others. What are my odds of having more positive nodes????

[Ri51]

Thank you for your response. I had a lumpectomy on my left breast as well as the sentinel node biopsy. There was no drain put in, but like I said the incision at the node site has been draining for 2 weeks now. It's a very pale clear colour and there does not seem to be any infection. The site is not painful nor swollen. The incison of the the lumpectomy has healed over very nicely. I did call the surgeon's office and drainage apparently is normal.  I will be seeing him in 2 days. Did anyone experience the same thing?

[japdip]

I would think you shouldn't have much drainage at all but I would advise you to contact your Surgeon's office ... you don't state exactly what type of surgery you had in addition to the node excision or if you had any drains placed at that time. I wouldn't expect any drainage from a surgical incision if healing is taking place normally.  Regards .....