Should radiation start if breast has a hematoma?

Posted by glendafl @glendafl, Nov 5 12:13am

I’m going to be getting radiation therapy in about 2 weeks. My question is what happens if I still have this hematoma? Do they go ahead and do radiation before my breast is healed? Is that safe? My breast is still sore, surgery was Sep.27th. It’s been 5 weeks. I had Stage 1 cancer, lumpectomy on my left breast. My treatment plan includes radiation treatment (3weeks) and estrogen blockers for 5 years. Has this happened to anyone here?
Thanks,
Glenda

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katgob | @katgob | Nov 5 6:41am

Interesting. I had a rather big hematoma after my mastectomy. I had to be opened to make sure my implant was not affected a week after my original surgery. For you, it seems likely there are protocols on skin healing from that and starting radiation. In my online portal I have many photos of my breast, so my team was aware of the current conditions. Check with your doctors. Estrogen blockers, One of three I know of are assigned to many of us.

glendafl | @glendafl | Nov 5 9:33am

Thanks. You know it’s like we go through these treatments and learn as we go. I don’t know why some of this information is hard to find. It’s not like it’s a secret weapon or something. For example, I expressed a fear of having radiation on my left breast to two different doctors, why didn’t they tell me about the prone position radiation? Instead I had to spend a weak looking up information to find out about the different treatments/positions possible. Turns out the prone position is available at at another hospital in my town. So that tells me if your hospital doesn’t offer a treatment they don’t inform you about an alternative, etc. The prone position is recommended in some cases. Turns out I meet that criteria. But Now I started thinking, my breast is still hurting and there seems to be a lump in it where the tumor was, plus it’s not smaller than before surgery. I’m pretty sure it’s a hematoma. I’m wearing compression day and night.
I’m calling my Doctors on Monday to ask about this.
Thanks for your input.
Glenda.

Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Nov 10 5:31pm

In reply to @glendafl "Thanks. You know it’s like we go through these treatments and learn as we go. I..." + (show)

Hi Glenda, did you learn anything new from your cancer team? Do they recommend dealing with the hematoma before starting radiation? Has the hematoma improved in the past few days?

glendafl | @glendafl | Nov 10 8:55pm

I called and I’m supposed to go for an exam by my surgeon on Monday. Meanwhile it seems a bit smaller, yes. It’s still sore and tender to be touched. Now I’m having back pain at night while sleeping. I think it might be from wearing the compression bra 24/7. So I’m resting ( reclining) a few hours at night with out it. Then I put the bra back on to sleep. That has helped I believe. It’s just so many little things.