Hello there and thanks for posting

I am sorry to hear you are currently having treatment for breast cancer and appreciate you have some questions.

It is good news to hear the tumour already seems to be responding to the chemo which means it must be doing it's job. The important thing to remember about chemotherapy is it is a systemic treatment which means it kills all the cells in the body. Because of this all cancer cells that are hiding anywhere will also be killed off.

Chemotherapy can cause all sorts of different side effects including aches and pains so try not to read too much into the lymph nodes feeling more painful at the moment. Do however mention it to your team at your next appointment so they can assess you properly.

Cancer cells as they grow and develop do have the potential to travel through the tissues, blood stream or lymphatic system through the lymph nodes. But through the doctors deciding to give you chemotherapy as I say to shrink and get rid of any little cancer cells that may be lurking around and then performing surgery to remove the remaining cancer and affected lymph nodes this reduces this risk.

As I say do talk this and any other concerns you have with your specialist team including your breast care nurse if you have one.

Wishing you all the best with the rest of you treatment. Do get back in touch if you wish or give us a call on 0808 800 4040, mon-fri 9-5 if you prefer.

Take care

Naomi