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Annski's avatar
Annski
Member
8 years ago

Is it a seroma? Underarm bulge getting worse during radiation..

Dear all, sorry if this question has been answered elsewhere, I have tried to find discussions using the search function but given up. My surgeon is widely acclaimed at least in Sydney BC circles as being super-skilled and brilliant.  I told him right from the start that I wanted a mastectomy and not a lumpectomy, and that I did not want reconstruction. There was a double tumour and lots of affected lymph nodes so it was just as well I was having the mastectomy from the get go. The scar was very neat and healed up quickly but a large bulge of tissue remained at the end of it, at the underarm. It looks horrible and I hate it dangling there like a piece of flabby melon. When I saw him for a three-month checkup I asked what he could do about it and he blithely commented that it was too soon yet to do a reconstruction as I am yet to finish radio. What??? Now I recall that he said much earlier - when the drains were being taken out I think - that he needed to leave the extra bit of flesh there or it would be too tight for the reconstruction. What could I say? It turns out that he fully expects me to have a reconstruction, and he believes that even though I said I didn't want it I would change my mind. Do all surgeons think they know your mind better than you do? I have gathered that the cost of reconstruction as a private patient is very high, even with private medical insurance. Is it true that this is where the surgeons make most of their money?

So now I am three days away from finishing radio and that soggy lump is swelling up, the nurses and radio technicians noticed it too and commented on it. Is this a seroma?  Will it go away by itself? I asked the nurses and they said there is nothing you can do about it. They said I should tell my radiation oncologist. What can he do? Does this mean I will have this horrible lump forever if I don't have reconstruction? Can I ask the same surgeon to fix it up so I am properly flat? Or do I need to go to a plastic surgeon? And if I do that, do I have to tell my original surgeon? It almost feels like being unfaithful.  They have us mystified, that's for sure. And our lives are in their hands. Any insights?
  • First of all you have worked with a surgeon, not married him! You can and should get a second opinion if you need it. Your surgeon may sound high handed but people do change their mind or, as in my case, hadn't given much thought to reconstruction.  I was not keen on the idea but with 10 days between a funny feeling in my left breast and a mastectomy. I really hadn't thought about it much at all. Five years on I am quite sure I don't want one and the "bagginess" - my surgeon's word not mine! - he left me with to make an easier reconstruction if and when, leaves me with a hint of a cleavage so it's fine. If it's a seroma it may disperse by itself but I would see a good lymphoedema therapist as massage may help it disperse too. I am sure you can get the unwanted tissue removed if that's the only option. It takes a bit of time to adjust to all the ins and outs, but you are not bound to put up with something you can't stand. Whatever well intentioned nurses say! Best wishes.