Seroma 6 weeks after Radiotherapy

EmByTheSea

Hi All,

Stage 1 Grade 1 invasive and non invasive ductal cancers, 3 tumours, on RH side. Operation for lumpectomy July 2016, (one node removed, no cancer) radiotherapy (19 shots) Oct 2016. A few weeks ago I noticed yellow marks on my t-shirt at night, as if something leaking form my nipple. I squeezed a bit and some more came out. I initially thought seroma but my GP said infection and put me on antibiotics - saw my doc at the hosp again and he ultrasounded and said it was indeed seroma and that I had little build ups of it which were tracking along the milk ducts. When it builds up my breast gets warm and sore, at which point I wake up with a patch on my t-shirt at night and squeeze a bit more out to release the pressure. Although the doc said not to worry unless I noticed signs of an infection (it is normal right now, clear and yellow), it bothers me that it builds up and leaks out like this. I'm not sure I should be helping it come out, but it does make it feel better! Anyone else had something similar?

And hello, I'm new here

Moderators

Hi Em, and welcome to Breastcancer.org!

We're sorry you have to be here, but really glad you found us. We're sure someone will be by shortly to answer your questions and offer their experience and advice, but we wanted to say hi and thanks for posting!

We hope to hear more from you soon!

--The Mods

mustlovepoodles

Most seromas will go away on their own, given time. As long as it isn't building in size or showing signs of infection (increased pain, redness, or cloudy fluid), they probably won't do anything about it. Sometimes they will tap the seroma to relieve the fluid, if it is really big or painful. My seroma was about the size of a cat head, no exaggeration--over 350ml (11-oz.). It was tapped many times, and then it got infected. Six weeks, so much fun. Not.

If you're bothered by leakage, put a pad in your bra. I cut a thin maxi-pad in half and stuck it inside my bra, sticky side down. Easy to change and no one will be the wiser. I don't think it much matters about whether you express the fluid or not. But if you do, make sure your hands are very clean. You don't want to introduce bacteria into the ducts. Sooner or later, this thing will go away.