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Do I Need A Biopsy After Ultrasound Showed Abnormal Nodes? Is It Connected To The Double Mastectomy Done For Lymph-node Removal?
Had double mastectomy 2 years ago with sentinel lymphnode removal of 2 that showed no node involvement...diagnosed with invasive ducts carcinoma no node involvement...left breast...on arimidex....now have swollen auxiliary node same side as breast cancer site.. auxiliary ultrasound found 4 abnormal nodes 1 suspicious for malignancy....pet scan showed no mestastisis.....why do I still need biopsy of node if pet scan clear?
Fri, 13 Dec 2013
you still need biopsy even if PET is normal.Clinically if the nodes are palpable and suspicious, biopsy gives the final answer. Though PET is a very sensitive investigation sometimes there is a possibility of missing. Also remember enlarged nodes doesnt necessarily mean cancer recurrence. Infections can also present similarly. To have the final answer, biopsy is a must
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