Questions about chemo/node dissection...

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Specializes in Emergency, Trauma.

First to admit, I don't know much about CA...I'm an ER nurse. My mom was recently diagnosed with breast CA, had bilat mastectomy a few weeks ago and is getting ready to start chemo...Maybe my questions are pretty basic, I don't know, but here goes.

So, I get that chemo is indicated for pretty much all CA pts with lymph node involvement, right? I'm just not understanding the pathophys behind the chemo if you take the nodes out-why do you remove them if you're going to have chemo after? I'm guessing it has to do with the lymph system being circulatory? From what I've read, the lymph nodes are positive when cancerous cells are present that have broken off from the tumor, but does this mean that the cells have invaded/become part of the node or are they just present in the lymph fluid? But that kind of brings me back to my initial question, if the cells have invaded the node and you take the node out, then why the chemo. (I am not asking for info specific to my mom, but rather the whys behind the chemo/lymph node thing in general)

I've tried to research it online, but I'm just finding general pt info, not really the explanations. Even if you know of a site I could go to, that would be great. Thanks in advance!

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Specializes in Neuro/Med-Surg/Oncology.

Since lymph circulates throughout your body, there's a possibility the cancer cells have travelled and can invade other sites. Also, by the time the tumor invades the nodes, it is no longer well differentiated from the healthy tissue. What that translates into is that the disease has been lying around for awhile.

Chemo is given to attack the cancer cells that may be lying dormant at other body sites or in circulation. It only takes one cancerous cell to wreak havoc. They multiply and divide much faster than non-mutated tissue.

The American Cancer Society webiste is a pretty good resource to get the nuts and bolts down.

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Specializes in Emergency, Trauma.

Thank you for responding- that was what I needed, a nice cut and dry explanation! I'll check out the website as well.

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