Hematoma Post Lumpectomy

I can't really say I've had a similar experience, mine is itty bitty in comparison.

One of my two biopsies went right through a vein (artery?  I admit I don't know how to tell the difference) which is visible just under the skin of my breast.  I'd love to have a chat with the radiologist about why she picked that spot.

I had a lot more bleeding, bruising and pain than with my other biopsy, and a small, hard, painful lump formed near the entry point scar.  I've been told it's probably a hematoma. 

I've dragged out the surgical decision for months.  The biopsy scar itself seems to have never really healed, the lump is still there and my breast still hurts.  I'm just hoping that the pain will be gone when I heal from the "real" surgery.  I'm afraid of my optimism.

Wow I"m shocked to hear about these experiences...I had a haematoma develop immediately after my lumpectomy...it became apparent in the first 2 hours after surgery, so I went back into Surgery same day, to have the blood vessel cauterised, the haematoma cleaned and a drain placed...the drain stayed in for about a week and it all healed up nicely afterwards, well before I would have had rads (if I'd not then needed a mast).  I find myself wondering if your drs had revisted it surgically before rads started if you might've had a better result. I know it's hard after such a long run of complications, but your body will eventually heal, and then you can think about whether you want the scar to be tidied up etc. 

Hi everyone,my name is Debbie

I had a lumpectomy and 3 nodes removed 3 weeks before Xmas and I have a massive haematoma, that the surgeon said would take 6 weeks to go down.  I am now having my radiation and it is still just as big, but my rad onc., said it can take months to go away and that the body will just re-absorb it, but I have been concerned like all of you, as it has not shown signs of going down at all, and it's a pain, cause you can't lay on that side etc.   It is one, like slab of concrete and I work with physio's and they said it's amazing, maybe try ultrasound to break it down, but I'm not sure what to do, or who to listen to, has anyone tried ultrasound?  would love to hear from anyone that has had that suggested or something else, cause 6 months is a long time.   Initially it was drained 3 different times, then the surgeon said, "oh the rest will go away on it's own", yeah sure mate????

I had a lumpectomy on 2/9/13.  The steri strips were removed 6 days after the surgery and the black marker still remained on the skin which made the incision look wider than it actually was.  The incision was about 3 1/2 inches long.  Within a few days the marker washed off and I could see that 1/3 of the incision was healing well, and the other 2/3 was a thick, purple color.  I called the BS office and they said this was normal.  Two weeks later I was still continuing to have a lot of pain upon movement, when the shower water hit the incision area etc.  I called again to inquire if experiencing this much pain and the deep purple, thick line was normal.  This time I was told once again that it was normal and that I could expect to feel pain for up to 12 months.  Another 2 weeks went by and I woke up with blood in my bra (I have had to wear a bra and sports bra continuously since the surgery).  I called the doctor and they had me come in for an apt.  Three staff members looked at my incision site and they didn't seem to know what to do about it - it was alarming to me.  The nurse told me that they would put me on antibiotics, the NP told me that they might need to open the incision site to drain it, and then the BS looked and decided not to do anything at all.  He told me to put gauze in my bra and sent me home.  Well a couple of more weeks have passed and I am still in pain and bleeding from this incision.  I don't understand why the fact that this incision is not healing doesn't seem  to be alarming anyone but me.  I find it so hard to believe that this is "normal".  I guess I would have liked to know in advance that it would be such a long healing process.  I've had a c-section and was out of work for 6 weeks - but never had any complications.  With this surgery, I went back to work in 2 days and here I am 2 months later, still experiencing pain and bleeding at the incision site.  Does anyone know why the incisions on the breast take so long to heal?  If getting a hematoma, blood blister is normal - what percentage of patients does this happen to?  I've tried to google pictures on the intranet and nothing looks like what I have.  I am going to try to get a 2nd opinion of this incision area - I just feel like there has got to be something more I can do other than stuff my bra with gauze for months and take tylenol.

Truffles1 - I agree with LynninColorado - I would get a second opinion. I've been a nurse for over 20 years, but recently was diagnosed with breast cancer. It's very eye-opening seeing the healthcare system from the patient's point of view. Being a nurse has been both a blessing and a curse because I know a lot, but then I know a lot. I think if your gut is telling you - that things aren't right. I would absolutely pursue it!

I had my lumpectomy 2 weeks ago and the tumor was pretty close to the surface of my skin which is why I think my hematoma drained. I didn't know this was going to be a possibility. This morning I took off my sports bra (which I feel like I'm going to wear for the rest of my life) and it started draining alot! Thankfully I recognized that it was dark brown and not bright red and quickly figured out what was going on. Otherwise I would have been flipping out.

I hope that you're able to find some answers and ultimately that your wound will heal.

I had a lumpectomy 3 days ago and breast is very big and hard. Called doc on call. She met me at er and thought for sure it was a Seroma until nothing came out when she tried to drain it.  So now thinks it's a hematoma. She wrapped me up tightly in an ace bandage and will see me in the morning again. Says if still bleeding or bigger, I need to have surgery again to remove. I don't expect my pathology results back until Monday or Tuesday. I assume I should wait in case more surgery is needed in case margins weren't clear? Any thoughts on this topic of the hematoma? I'm very small breasted so this is like a giant grapefruit and very uncomfortable. Thank you for your words of wisdom. 

Hi, I had the same problem.  After my lumpectomy I developed a hematoma in my right breast.  It was very bad.  My breast went from a a cuff to a DDD cuff.  This was back in 2012 and I am still having lots of pain.  I just took physical therapy because of the pain.  I have a small scar, not too bad.  I do have a lot of scar tissue also.

I had a lumpectomy on 7/22/16. The surgeon did not put any drains in and the tumor was 3cm and it was stage 2. I developed a hematoma immediately and when I saw the MD she said it would dissolve. The hematoma was the full size of my breast and under my arm. It was hard as a rock, very painful and very swollen. I kept having to go back to the surgeon to have lymph drained from under my arm. After 3 weeks she finally decide she needed to evacuate the hematoma. I then developed an infection but they did not believe me but my breast was red, warm and hard. Finally one day the breast just broke open and the infection came out. They then aspirated 120 ml of pus with an ultrasound. I then had to pack my breast with 2 1/2 feet of gauze. I completely lost confidence in the surgeon and asked my radiologist if he could recommend a new surgeon. I was not able to have any radiology due to the open wound. My new surgeon received my medical records from the old surgeon and he said she did not get clean margins. He recommended a mastectomy and I went for another MD and he recommended mastectomy. I am now waiting for reconstruction surgery. It is 1/24/17 and this started 7/22/16. I say if she had evacuated the hematoma and not waited 3 weeks I would not have had to have a mastectomy. I believe the hematoma caused bacteria which led to the infection. Has anyone had anything like this and what did you do? Thank you