Seroma in mastectomy incision

jdmg
jdmg Member Posts: 4
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
I would appreciate some information based on your experience or knowledge. I had a mastectomy on 9/28/00. A drain was installed and then removed about five days later. The seroma persisted so I was put on a program of twice weekly aspirations. I started A/C chemo on 10/20/00 and completed the program on 12/22/00, all the while continuing aspiration. Another drain was surgically implanted on 3/1/01 but the fluid is still forming at the rate of 20-25 cc a day. Has anyone experienced this before, or heard about it? What was the treatment and what was the outcome? Thanks

Comments

  • cruf
    cruf Member Posts: 908
    #2
    Hi! I had a hematoma form after my lumpectomy that wasn't aspirated in Aug. Then in Sept. I had a mastectomy and tubes were removed in about 1 week. Had some fluid but didn't need to have it aspirated. Feb. 2 I had a revision with cleaning of old hematoma. Drain left in about 2 weeks,then needed to be aspirated 1x per week for 3 weeks. Finally didn't need aspiration any more but now have bruising around incision and area getting hard again which is drying hematoma. Fluid production is common,some more than others.Don't worry too much! Things should be calming down soon. Keep in touch. Cathy
  • jdmg
    jdmg Member Posts: 4
    #3
    cruf said:

    Hi! I had a hematoma form after my lumpectomy that wasn't aspirated in Aug. Then in Sept. I had a mastectomy and tubes were removed in about 1 week. Had some fluid but didn't need to have it aspirated. Feb. 2 I had a revision with cleaning of old hematoma. Drain left in about 2 weeks,then needed to be aspirated 1x per week for 3 weeks. Finally didn't need aspiration any more but now have bruising around incision and area getting hard again which is drying hematoma. Fluid production is common,some more than others.Don't worry too much! Things should be calming down soon. Keep in touch. Cathy

    Cathy, Thank you for responding and so fast. My surgeon or onc had not seen this type of seroma last this long. I felt better knowning after removing the drain you only had to have 3 more aspirations. Did the fluid just stop or was there a small amount?

    This is the first time I have had nerve to use the discussion group. I have read messages and it has helped but personal contact was great.


    Thanks,
    Janet
  • jdmg
    jdmg Member Posts: 4
    #4
    cruf said:

    Hi! I had a hematoma form after my lumpectomy that wasn't aspirated in Aug. Then in Sept. I had a mastectomy and tubes were removed in about 1 week. Had some fluid but didn't need to have it aspirated. Feb. 2 I had a revision with cleaning of old hematoma. Drain left in about 2 weeks,then needed to be aspirated 1x per week for 3 weeks. Finally didn't need aspiration any more but now have bruising around incision and area getting hard again which is drying hematoma. Fluid production is common,some more than others.Don't worry too much! Things should be calming down soon. Keep in touch. Cathy

    Cathy, Thank you for responding and so fast. My surgeon or onc had not seen this type of seroma last this long. I felt better knowning after removing the drain you only had to have 3 more aspirations. Did the fluid just stop or was there a small amount?

    This is the first time I have had nerve to use the discussion group. I have read messages and it has helped but personal contact was great.


    Thanks,
    Janet
  • cruf
    cruf Member Posts: 908
    #5
    jdmg said:

    Cathy, Thank you for responding and so fast. My surgeon or onc had not seen this type of seroma last this long. I felt better knowning after removing the drain you only had to have 3 more aspirations. Did the fluid just stop or was there a small amount?

    This is the first time I have had nerve to use the discussion group. I have read messages and it has helped but personal contact was great.


    Thanks,
    Janet

    Janet, my fluid decreased each week,30cc to 20 cc to 5 cc. I think there is still a bit but I guess not enough to worry about. Good luck. If you have anyother questions, feel free to e-mail me. Cathy
  • deecaf1
    deecaf1 Member Posts: 56
    #6
    Hi, I had a mastectomy on 12/12/00 and had the drain removed eight days later. I then had to go in every three days for three weeks and then every four-five days for several more weeks...in all I probably went in for draining for three months. I was concerned at the time but the surgeon said everybody is different and eventually your body will absorb it all. Many times he got over 100 cc's of fluid....he mentioned having me go in for another drain but decided against it. I'm doing okay now. Good luck to you. Take care, Dee

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