Breast cancer, all lymph nodes removed why?

[FrameyMcFrame]

My Mum has a 19mm tumor and is having that removed tomorrow plus all of the auxiliary lymph nodes in her armpit.

I've been trying to read about it and it seems they usually only take a few of them out not all? She had a biopsy of the lymph nodes last week.

I can't ask the consultant too many questions as I don't want to upset my Mum. But do they really need to take all of them out? seems extreme.

Does this mean it's bad news? I'm having trouble understanding.

Just back, was mixed news. The tumor was much bigger than they originally thought, 50mm not 20mm and there was disease in the margins so she's got to have a mastectomy a week on Monday.
Was good news re the lymph nodes though as only 1 of 8 had any disease in so the consultant was very positive about that.

He mentioned herceptin and that he was still waiting for the results of one test to see if she would need that.
He thought she would have radiotherapy after the mastectomy but wasn't sure if she's need chemotherapy too.

So good news in the main I felt, although obviously disappointing that she needs to have another op so soon after this one.

He also said she had lyphodema but it didn't need any treatment yet as it might clear up on it's own.

got to go and get DD from school now

hi Framey - it's a bugger that your mum has to have the mastectomy ,but I imagine as there was a bigger tumour than anticipated and not clear margins they feel a mastectomy would get rid of the cancer safely- if there is a big tumour the breast might look a bit mishapen with a lumpectomy. There are people on the tamoxifen who've had this operation and who would be very happy to advise. Excellent news about the nodes - I think once the mastectomy is done and all the pathology is back they can work out whether chemotherapy would be beneficial -they have various scales which take into account size/grade/stage of tumour,plus your mum's age. Large tumours may be very slow growing so it needn't mean that it's aggressive - and vice versa,so that might be something to hang on to. What matters is that it's being treated and I'm sure your mum is in good hands- the breast care nurses will give her lots of support too. How is she taking the news ?
Take care of yourself x

Seems we've passed the sicky bug on to Mum too now... Last thing she needs at the moment

oh that's rotten- hope you all feel better v soon