Is This a Seroma?

macdebbie

I had my surgery (lumpectomy) on 9/14. 4 Sentinel Nodes were removed, none had cancer, and all margins were clear. Tumor was 3mm in size. So I am thankful.

I have to admit, I am squeamish about medical things, so didn't look too closely at my incisions after surgery. I hurt a lot the first week (took only minimal amount of Tylenol), was swollen and lots of bruising.

I had my post-op one week later and the surgeon told me I was healing well. She said it was ok to be active and to "do what I could" and try to do a little more each day, and let my body tell me. I asked her about doing the "walk the wall" finger exercises or squeezing a ball, etc., and she said with just SNB it's not necessary, that normal activity was enough. She made a comment that the fluid would start to go down and that I didn't have a "bad seroma" or anything worrisome.

This Tues will be 3 weeks since my surgery. The pain has pretty much subside except for the LNB incision area. It's still very tender. I had a good look at it the other day and there is swelling from my armpit to the LNB incision. Not the size of an orange or anything, just looks like puffy skin that is actually overhanging the LNB incision which I think is what is causing the pain. It's not drooping over it, just causing the LNB incision to look indented, probably because of the swelling above. Does this mean I have a seroma? Will it go away on it's own?

I have started doing exercises three times a day, still icing (although that seems to hurt more now) and taking some aspirin here and there. Should I just let this run its course or should I call and inquire with my BCS?

One other question I had. I number of people have told me never to have blood pressure checks or blood draws done on the side where the surgery was done. My BCS didn't mention anything about that. What is the reason behind that? Can it cause Lymphedema?

Jelson

By the time I noticed it, my seroma was hard, so different from what you are experiencing. I hope others chime in. I would avoid aspirin at this point since you are still healing and it is a blood thinner, just my thought. With regards to avoiding blood pressure checks or draws - yes that is advice to prevent lymphedema. Surgery, esp. with removal of lymph nodes is a risk factor for lymphedema. BCO has a lot of info about it https://www.breastcancer.org/treatment/lymphedema and there is a board devoted to it here. Hope your healing continues to go well.

Veeder14

l would let your surgeon know about your concerns and maybe they might want to see you. For peace of mind it would be good to determine what theswellingis.I also had a lumpectomy and formed two hard seromas in my arm pit where the lymph nodes were removed. I asked to have them drained because of the pain and my history of seromas. Had them drained several times. In my experience most doctors will tell you to let the seromas drain on it’s own. Mine never did.

AMG2

I had swelling (painful lump) where my sentinel lymph node was removed, but it would come and go, and finally seems to have gone and stayed gone. It was mostly worst in the afternoon/evening, and lying on the opposite side relieved it (cancer is on the right, so I would lie on my left). It has been 2 full months since surgery, and all swelling is fully gone. I think it was still going on by the time I started chemo, so it took at least a month for me.

As others say, consult with your doctor to determine exactly what is going on and how to treat it. Mine indicated that with only one node removed, BP checks in that arm are ok. I still ask for the left arm anyway.

ceanna

macdebbie, you may want to call doctor's office and ask if they want to see you. Otherwise, I'm wondering, since you say you don't have much pain, whether or not it would be a seroma. My seroma was hard, painful and had to be drained. For me, that area has never returned to normal with it healing into a mild v-shaped skin fold. It could be just post-surgery swelling, or lymphedema, but only your doctor can assess. All the best for quick healing.

macdebbie

Thanks all. I am going to call my BCS Mon and see if they can fit me in for a quick look Wed (the only day she doesn't do surgery). If she can't, I see my MO Tues, so maybe he can weigh in.

It's not so painful that I have to take meds all day like I did the first week, but it is definitely tender and definitely swollen. Strangely, ice seems to aggravate it so I've stopped doing that.

JKL2017

Macdebbie , can you get a referral to a Lymphadema PT? My RO sent me to PT immediately after radiation and the therapist was a terrific resource for information about seromas, cording, etc. She was very helpful in advising me as to when I needed to contact my BS and when what I was seeing was just normal healing. She also gave me exercises that stretched and strengthened my shoulder and helped me regain full range of motion after surgery. A good LPT is a tremendous resource to have. Good luck with your recovery!

macdebbie

Thanks all. I called my BCS today to try and get in Wed (her only non-surgery day). She was booked solid, but they said they wanted to see me today to evaluate what was going on, so I saw her PA which I like. She examined me and did an ultrasound.

Surprisingly, the area that is "puffy" from my armpit to the lymph node incision is NOT a seroma. Well it has a tiny bit of fluid, but she said not something they would even aspirate. It's edema. I asked her if that would go away and she said that we'll have to wait and see. It's from the surgery and things just take time.

But I DO have a fairly large seroma in my breast. Surprise, surprise. That doesn't bother me, it just feels a bit swollen, which I thought was from the surgery, and kind of hard, which she said was the seroma. She was going to aspirate it, but they don't have any anesthetic without epinephrine, which I can't have. Last time a doctor gave that to me (after I told him I couldn't have it due to the beta blocker I am on) I ended up in ER and don't need that right now.

She told me if it gets bigger or bothersome to call and they'll have radiology aspirate with the appropriate numbing agent for me. She said to massage and try warm compresses.

How long do seromas generally take to go away? I forgot to ask her if this will impact my radiation, but I see the RT Fri so can ask her.

ceanna

macdebbie, glad you were able to get in and have it checked out. Seroma time to healing varies widely. Mine was drained but came back and then healed over some weeks, but I had noticeable improvement while having radiation (go figure!). You just want to watch for redness, or it getting bigger or more painful. Sounds like they were helpful and gave you some good suggestions. I would add that you keep moving and exercising to keep the fluid moving! Hope it improves soon! All the best.

AlwaysMeC

Macdebbie, my surgery was on 9/23. I also have a seroma in the lumpectomy site and axillary where a node was removed. My breast surgeon said to watch it for a couple of weeks more, and if it gets too painful they can drain it as well. He said it was normal and happens from time to time.

macdebbie

cenna, thx.

I'm more concerned with what I went in for - had no idea I had a large seroma in my breast. I'm kind of freaked out about this swelling about the lymph node incision site.

Is that normal? She said it was edema. Does that mean it's lymphedema??

ceanna

macdebbie, edema is water retention in your tissue and often normal in the healing process. Just think about how your finger might swell when you get a cut--and you had lymph nodes taken out!! It just takes time to heal--and you're only two plus weeks past surgery. Your breast seroma may be short lived, and you've seen your PA, so they are aware, and you're following their advice. Time will allow you to heal.

petite1

Hi. I am over 2 years post op and have developed a Seroma under my scar tissue. It appeared on my ultrasound last month. Today it feels like it is gurgling. Anyone else ever have this happen, 2 years later?

Snoopi62

petite, I just found out that I have a seroma under my scar tissue. 3 yrs out. I was wondering if I was the only one...lol