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For Your Health: Lumpectomy for Breast Cancer

By Kris Rusho

Story Published: Mar 11, 2010 at 8:20 PM EDT

Story Updated: Mar 11, 2010 at 8:20 PM EDT

On the positive side, Claudette Mainville went into the Samaritan Medical Center operating room with a good prognosis, but the truth of the matter is that cancer patients never can be certain of the outcome.

For those battling breast cancer, one of the unknowns is whether the cancer has spread to the lymph nodes, but a radioactive solution that will travel throughout the lymph system is injected near the tumor.

While Claudette is in surgery, a geiger counter-like device will be passed over her armpit to locate areas of high radioactivity.

Targeted lymph nodes are then removed and sent for testing while a lumpectomy is done to remove the cancerous tumor.

Claudette came through fine and after her check-up was able to return to work.

The next step is to visit an oncologist to determine follow-up treatments, which will most likely include radiation

 

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Wednesday, May 22, 2013
, Watertown, NY

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