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esco's avatar
esco
Member
9 years ago

Post radiation breast cellulitis - risk of reoccurance?

I had a lumpectomy for early breast cancer in February, one sentinel lymph node removed and clear, and finished 23 sessions of radiation about 3 weeks ago. Chemo is not necessary. I had Mepitel film on my breast throughout the radiation and it was great at preventing burns and minimising skin damage, although a nuisance to have to keep dry. I managed to keep in in place for nearly 2 weeks after finishing radiation, as recommended, and that gave the skin layers underneath a chance to heal. When it was first applied, my nipple was bent/squashed down sideways and there it stayed for about 8 weeks. When I took the film off, the skin on the underside of the nipple and the areola under it was white and macerated, and smelt like rotten feet.

I gave it a few days to heal in the air, but it didn't heal and was very sore. I showed it to the oncologist as I had an appointment. She had it swabbed as she didn't want to prescribe anything till she knew what bugs and/or thrush it grew. Before I could get the results, I came down with breast cellulitis, which they said was caused by an infection (from the nipple) getting into the irradiated breast. Four days in hospital having IV antibiotics and now another week on oral antibiotics. Fortunately the bugs we not nasty, resistant ones.

My questions are - would the removal of one lymph node predispose me to developing breast cellulitis, and am I at risk of getting it again? If so, is the risk forever, or just in this post radiation period?






5 Replies

  • esco's avatar
    esco
    Member
    9 years ago
    I saw the breast surgeon today - routine followup - and he told me it is quite rare, so they don't have a lot of data on reoccurance. However, he thought it is unlikely to reoccur again, especially as I get further and further out from radiation and surgery and as my post-radiation immune system recovers. You are right @fairydust that the infection needs an entry point and I'm not expecting any trauma to the breast from gardening, etc.  I finally finished the oral antibiotics today and can start probiotics. I can't imagine anything is alive in my gut!

  • fairydust's avatar
    fairydust
    Member
    9 years ago
    @esco I was also told that with removal of lympth nodes to be careful. I was advised to be careful when gardening and always wear gloves. I was told if I needed a blood sample use the arm where no lympth nodes were removed.
    I was also told to attend to any minor scratch immediately as my system was also impaired.
     
    Well the only way cellulitis can occur is if it has an entry point. As your breast is healed (and mine to) I actually cant see where cellulitis can occur in your breast again. I am sorry for your friend having repeat bouts not much fun.
    So far so good. Keep well.
  • esco's avatar
    esco
    Member
    9 years ago
    Thanks fairydust and Marg for your reassurance and kind thoughts. I know that broken skin is the route for bacterial infection, and I had a raw and very sore nipple. It has healed now and I have no reason to expect further breast or nipple injury - long since finished breastfeeding! I friend has lymphoedema in her arm following mastectomy and node removal. She has had several episodes of cellulitis in her arm and has been told that the impaired lymphatic drainage puts her at risk when she has e.g. a gardening injury. That's what made me wonder about my breast being more susceptible.
  • Zoffiel's avatar
    Zoffiel
    Member
    9 years ago
    No advice @esco, but just want to wish you the best Marg.
  • fairydust's avatar
    fairydust
    Member
    9 years ago
    @esco I had cellulitis three weeks after I had a lumpectomy.I sailed through the actual lumpectomy and yes lympth nodes removed  I also had five weeks of radiation not long after.I was okay.
      
    Celulitis is caused by bacteria getting into the area. How the bacteria gets there is anyones guess. Having lymph nodes removed is not related to the disease. You can have celluitis in your leg or other areas. 
    I was also was on iv antibiotics in hospital for 4 days and later oral took a while to clear. I was not advised I was at risk of getting it again.