Lump in armpit?

hcdo
hcdo Member Posts: 3
edited July 2015 in ILC (Invasive Lobular Carcinoma)

I had a lumpectomy ("mini mastectomy" as my surgeon called it) and sentinel node removal in June and am currently waiting (impatiently) for the genetics test and Oncotype DX results to come back. I have my next oncology appt in August. The margins and nodes were clear after surgery, but I just discovered a lump in my armpit the other day, on the same side as the node removal. Should I be concerned, or is this common after surgery? Should I have it looked at right away or can I wait until my oncology appt? Thanks in advance for advice.

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  • vlnrph
    vlnrph Member Posts: 1,632
    edited July 2015

    Certainly call your clinic and at least talk to a nurse. Post-op swelling associated with normal healing does occur but so do infections which can cause enlarged lymph nodes. You don't mention other symptoms such as warmth/redness however they will ask you about those signs. Waiting is not a good idea...

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  • hcdo
    hcdo Member Posts: 3
    edited July 2015

    Thanks! Do you think I should call the surgeon, oncologist, or primary care? Sadly, there are so many to choose from at this point...

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  • MsPharoah
    MsPharoah Member Posts: 1,034
    edited July 2015

    hcdo, I would call your breast surgeon. The swelling/lump is most probably post operative changes, especially since your surgery was so recent.

    MsP

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  • Leighku
    Leighku Member Posts: 26
    edited July 2015

    Call you doctor and make an appt but this is very common. I had a 4-5 cm seroma develop from my mastectomy. Was not there one day and then noticed in shower when it was HUGE overnight. It is when the lymph nodes cant clear fluid normally and lymph fluid gathers in a pocket left from LN removal. I had my drained but it came back. Then is just went away a couple of months later...as soon as it came. I was told this is very common and my doctors did not seem worried at all before my U/S because I just had mx and sentinel biopsy done.


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  • Jesika63
    Jesika63 Member Posts: 78
    edited July 2015

    I also had a lump after my surgery- turned out to be a seroma. The doctor had sent me for an Ultrasound just to confirm (actually for my piece of mind cause i kept insisting i need to make sure that what it was). He said it will go away on its own or he can drain it. opt to see if it goes away on its own.

    Call you doctor, only he can tell you whats going on. I think surgeon would be best ask them for apt asap. Thats what i did. Keep us posted and ry to relax until then.



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