My mum has been diagnosed with endometrial cancer and has been told she will need a full hysterectomy. They believe the cancer has not spread, but said would like to do a pelvic sentinel lymph nodes biopsy and if they can't find the sentinel lymph nodes then they would remove multiple other lymph nodes, to see if any signs the cancer has spread. My mum is relatively fit and healthy, but is also nearly 78 years old and extremely nervous about the operation, for obvious reasons, as well as previously struggling to recover after general anaesthetic in previous operations.
She is very concerned regarding the lymph nodes biopsy removal, as it can cause problems with swollen legs etc, with lymphodema. She has a history of falls and had a knee and both hips replaced previously.
She has been thinking over her options, since she found out what the surgery involves. She would like to know if she just opted for sentinel lymph node removal, would this likely cause lymphodema, or is it more likely to occur if they can't find it, and they take out more lymph nodes?
She feels quality of life is better than quantity, if she ends up with swollen legs and issues where she won't feel herself or be able to walk as well or be able to dress up on occasion.
But would go ahead with sentinel lymph node removal, if it was less likely to cause lymphodema.
Is there any information you can provide, to be help her decide/,inform her and any statistics around it.
Many thanks in advance
