Anyone have fluid build up in radiated area?

Evenstarz

sorry if this already has a topic, but I couldn't find a discussion. Just finished my radiation 3 weeks ago. At the end of the to, my RO noted fluid build up in chest, but sad it is normal. Last week I had to have a total thyroidectomy due to papillary thyroid cancer. After the surgery I was having some pain in the left chest, where I had my mastectomy and radiation,the surgeon sent me for CT scan to rule out pulmonary embolism (PE). No PE, but the radiologist thought I had a large abscess due to the amount of fluid build up. The surgeon spoke to the RO, but she still says it is normal. Anyone else get this fluid build up during/after radiation?

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doxie

Evenstarz,

I had swelling of my entire breast for several months. Now I have miid Lymphedema, which my RO partially blames on rads. So swelling has never completely gone down after nearing 4 years after rads.

It sounds like your problem may be more localized? Whichever, it will take some for your breast to heal.

Evenstarz

thank you Doxie. I am still hoping most of this fluid build up goes away. I am sorry to hear that you still have swelling 4 years out. I am afraid I won't be able to get a reconstruction because of this swelling.

ChiSandy

Oh, heck yeah! Considerable mammary seroma pre-rads; by second session RO remarked it was "huge." 3 weeks post-rads, and I have Teenage Mutant Ninja Tit: the radiated area is swollen, tan/pinkish and hard--almost as wide around as the left one is long & droopy (so I fill out my bras evenly). Both RO & PCP say it could take a year or more before I know what my breast will finally look like. But the skin is thick enough and scar perfectly healed--no chance of dehiscence or leak (knock wood).

phoebe58

Evenstars, I have just started rads #4 of 28 and have some generalized breast swelling already. I was told it's a fairly normal response [similar to swollen twisted ankle.....]. I am not so convinced. I had diep surgery prior to rads, so wondering if that makes the whole area more susceptible. I have a terrific lymphedema physio specialist I saw in the fall pre rads and post surgery, but our first appt this week needed to be cancelled as she had a bad cold, so need to wait now til Jan 21........ Best wishes, and maybe finding a lymphedema trained physio may be helpful for you.

Chisandy I have read of your struggles and wonderfully detailed advice on other threads, but naively assumed your swelling due only to your seroma troubles, and hadn't realized it can happen anyways. Glad you are healing well otherwise.

ChiSandy

Hi, phoebe58, doxie and Evenstarz. Word from the LE specialist is that it is definitely not truncal LE but a radiation-aggravated seroma (if flbrosis, it may never get smaller). Nothing I can do but "wear support"--I asked what kind and he replied “whatever bra fits comfortably but holds you up & in, even underwires.” And he confirmed that I must continue to wear one while sleeping, too. (Shelf-bra camis work for that).

Evenstarz

thanks ladies. Was referred to PT this week and luckily ended up with one who is pursuing a certification in LE treatments and massage. She massaged area for about 15 minutes and swelling went down considerably. Have appointment with surgeon Tuesday. Maybe he has more insight. Will update after Tuesday.