REPEATED BREAST INFECTION AFTER SURGERY AND RADIATION THERAPY

nikkiannej

I have infection on my right breast even after surgery and radiation therapy.  My right breast is painful, red, swollen and warm to the touch.  I had at least 4 breast infections since the middle of June 2008 till now.  My surgeon prescribed me augmentin 875mg to take for 10 days each time I have an infection.  The antibiotic would kick in by the 5th day and after I finish my medication then the infection will come back.  On my last followup visit last month, I asked my surgery why am I getting a breast infection all the time and her answer was I have no idea.  I also questioned her if my breast needs a drainage of fluid that is backed up from the surgery or puss is in my breast tissue.  I am really concerned.  Does anyone know?  Is anyone also experiencing this?  Please comment.  Thank you.

ejlj

I had 2 infections so far since my surgery in 7/08.  The first one showed it's ugly face right after my first dose of a/c.  yes, i did need a drain reinserted aswell as iv abx for a few days then over to an oral abx.  I was on that for almost 3wks. the 2nd infection started right before radiation.  my onc sent me for a chest ct and you could see the fluid filled infection site lateral to my implant.  Again I was placed on oral antibiotics for at least 3 weeks.  The surgeon tried to asperate the area to send for a culture and sensitivity, but stuck my expander instead (I think he felt worse than I did).  I think if I were you and this keeps reoccuring, 1. I would ask for a CT to check for any pockets of infection, 2. I f there is a visible pocket, I would ask for an US guided needle aspiration (so not to hit your expander), that way the fluid could be sent for culture and sensitivities (what's growing and what antibiotic works on it), and 3.  If the above two are not possible, maybe you need a different antibiotic for a longer period of time.  Also did your surgeon use ALLODERM when doing your reconstruction?  They are looking into whether this may be causing many of the infections they are seeing out here in MA.  Keep me informed  good luck

jude14

I had a lumpectomy and have had some infections in my breast since surgery.  I am holding fluid in the breast though and the surgeon will not drain it.  I held fluid under the arm in the lymph node area after my surgery which was August of 2007 and he drained it a time or two and i ended up in the hospital with iv antibiotics because of a fast infection setting up on me.  My breast now gets warm and tender and itches at times and there are areas of fluid which can be felt like a mass.  I have a mammo and ultra sound again the 23rd of this month and then see the surgeon following and I am going to insist he drain this.  I have been put on antibiotics a few times since my surgery and he just tells me my body will eventually absorb all this and if I feel like an infection is setting up to call for antibiotics.  I have seen 3 oncos and they do not seem to be concerned either just think the doctor should drain the fluid.......

ICanDoThis

Have you asked the surgeon to put you on a different antibiotic? I had 4 rounds of infections/antibiotics after rads, and we finally switched to a different drug, which finally cleared things up.

Poor little boob took months to heal, but I haven't had an infection for 4 months, and the holes (they put gauze in to encourage internal healing) finally healed last month.

Just don't ignore it; keep calling for those antibiotics.

Take care of yourself. Hope you don't feel too crummy.

kreynolds

I too, am fighting an infection and have changed antibiotics twice.  I had surgery in May for a lumpectomy and then radiation then about 6 weeks after radiation I got this infection.  Just the other day it started flaring up while on the antibiotic, so I am really getting concerned. I have been on antibiotic for about 2 months and am wondering what is going on!  I start to go off for about 5 days 2 times then it comes right back.  Why don't the dr.'s know how to handle this?  I am just so glad to find out I am not the only one!!!!  Thanks!!

ICanDoThis

The way my rad onc, who was sort of responsible for my having an infection (never have mammosite without antibiotics) feels kind of guilty and is very good at giving me explanations. Evidently, irradiated tissue has prettty much lost its mind, and just isn't very good at fixing itself right after rads. That's why our docs hate this so much. All they can do is keep switching antibiotics, and hoping that they find the right combo to beat this.

I know of at least one person who's had to have a mastectomy, they just couldn't clear it up. This is the exception, though. Most people heal fine. But this is serious.

So, keep taking those vitamins with your antibiotics, get plenty of rest, and eat your veggies.

anseliam

Hi-

 I have been fighting infections since I had my implant taken out in April. I got a string of the MRSA and was on the strongest antibiotics for a month. I had to do a drip at home. Since then, I have had three more infections. Two after this last implant was taken out, and all on my radiated side. EVERYONE except my doctor is concerned. I am red, itchy, and it won't stop dripping a small amount of fluid. I am frustrated. My body doesn't seem to react to the antibiotics (been changed a few times). Thoughts? 

byzalot

This is to all of you who had a lumpectomy. Is your doctor really sure it is an infection and not edema? I too had a red swollen, painful breast after surgey, and my surgeon told me it was edema from the SNB not an infection, and it eventually would go away.

kreynolds

I am going to the dr. again today, I am still on antibiotics and I am taking this information of everyone with me, because I do believe that most dr.'s don't know how common this is, and I feel like it needs to be addressed since I was told it is NOT common.  Keep your fingers crossed I find out something today or they try something new.  I have been on anitbiotics for 3 months now and I am TIRED!  Thanks for everyone's support...!

dawn2203

HiI had exactly the same problem, tomorrow I am having surgery to remove the ducts. Hugs

Dawn.x

madsgram

A red, swollen breast that doesn't respond to antibiotics could be Inflammatory Breast Cancer.  If you haven't already, please, please get a biopsy (the only way to diagnose inflammatory.)