Seroma after mastectomy and radiation

Posted by cat168 @cat168, 3 days ago

Has anyone had an issue with a seroma after a mastectomy and maximum radiation? My surgeon said I had so much radiation they can’t stick a needle in me and drain the seroma because it could get infected and wouldn’t heal and the seroma would probably just come back. Has anybody else had an experience like that and what did you do?

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wews | @wews | 2 days ago

I haven’t had radiation but I was just diagnosed with a seroma 5 months after my implant surgery. I have surgery scheduled next week to remove it and some scar tissue and the implant. Hoping it isn’t infected. Apparently Seromas are common after mastectomy - this just popped up with a red and swollen breast - crazy.

I know once skin is radiated it has to be treated differently because it is very delicate. A breast or plastic surgeon could probably speak to you about why that is the case. It was one of the reasons why I opted for a bilateral mastectomy instead of a lumpectomy so I could avoid radiation.

Good luck to you.

rhb28 | @rhb28 | 2 days ago

I had a persistent seroma after lumpectomy and radiation. After about a year with 9 aspirations and 2 attempts at external drains I was told I’d need a simple surgery to remove it. Instead of this surgery I opted for a recent double mastectomy. I’m still healing from this and hoping and praying for no further seromas.
My medical team warned me that infection was always a possibility with needle aspirations but fortunately I never encountered infection.
Best of luck to you!