Can radiation cause a hematoma to solidify?

Honestly, that is a very good question. I know that my radiation oncologist made me wait to start radiation, because I still had a large hematoma. They changed up the planned order of treatment and it was gone before I started radiation.
Have you talked to your doctor about this? Did this delay radiation?

They delayed radiation for 2 weeks. It has shrunk some. I go back tomorrow to the surgeon to get his opinion on starting radiation or waiting longer. I think it is still too large.

@anniemae2, any update? Did the surgeon suggest waiting a bit longer to start radiation?

I had a serious fall when I was in the hospital after my surgery. My right breast swelled to 4 times the size, I couldnt hang my arm down, and I had opened all the stitiches inside and out when I hit the toilet on my way down to the floor. Then, because of covid, I could not get a second surgery. This caused a long delay in my radiation and healing, causing a fluid pocket to form on the inside of my breast. It is see-through on mammograms, and 2 years later, I still have a large bump on my right breast, but other than that, I am fine. Both the surgeon and my Dr figured my body would absorb the fluids, but I believe it healed and hardened because of the radiation. I am losing weight right now as part of my breast cancer treatment, and after 52 pounds, it is quite prominent. But i will learn to live with it. It doesnt hurt, and doesnt change size....... I am 3 years cancer free at end of November. Bilateral surgery.

You have had a tough journey, with some serious bumps along the way.
You also sound like you celebrate the big wins. Good for you. Thank you for sharing this, I know it is helpful.
When you say bilateral surgery at the end of your post, does this mean you are having surgery again, or that you had bilateral surgery?

Yes. I asked that we give it more time. I go back again tomorrow, after being off my blood thinner for 3 days to see if the dr can draw of some of fluid.

Am very glad you have no pain. Congratulations on being cancer free for 3 years!

No, I had surgery on both breasts. The lesser one was the one I hurt.
We all have to celebrate the big wins. I took no drugs as I could not tolerate them and still have severe issues with my hands and fingers, but I feel very good right now and continue to lose weight. I am shooting for a 100 pound loss, and half way there. This has helped me more than any drugs!

Dr drew off a good amount of fluid. He gave me a “go” for the radiation. Funny how no one from the breast center forward ever me told me of the high chance of developing the hematoma, nor the chance of the radiation solidifying it. The nurse yesterday seemed reluctant, but admitted both happen often. She also said the resulting solidified hematoma is usually not surgically removed, but just “lived with” … it is disturbing to me that this information was not shared. Wonder what else we should be informed of before going into surgery & having radiation!!!

GOOD GREIF! Now I am reading about the possibility of heart damage from radiation because the cancer was in my left breast. I had a heart attack while on vacation out of state 4 years ago next month. I ended up with 3 stents that didn’t fix the problem. My heart doc says blockage is inoperable & it has taken a long time & many combinations of medicines to get my BP & AFib under control. His advice has always been avoid stress!!! Hahaha. This just gets more upsetting by the moment. Maybe I am armed with enough info now to be able to ask the right questions of the radiologist to get some straight answers!