Seroma

[mpepper311]

My mother had a radical mastecomy and once the drains were removed (4 weeks) she developed a seroma. We have been to the doctor every day for the last two weeks to have it drained, it seems there is no end in sight. What is the normal time for a seroma to start reasorbing itself into the body?

[BhumikaMD]

Hi,

A seroma usually takes days to weeks to resolve spontaneously, but in some rare cases it does take months too.

She should follow up with her surgeon regularly and get a clinical examination done to evaluate whether a needle aspiration or drain is required.

Let us know about how she is doing and if you have any other doubts.

Post us on what her surgeon advises.

Hope this helps.

Regards.

[nitinsharma]

its better to get it drained b'coz it may get organised simulating a metastatic lymph node or else may get infected

[Fresen]

Hi
I am postmastectomy and lymph node dissection and had a drain in for 23 days.  After it was removed I had a seroma develop and had needle drainage 8 times and then a drain was placed again.  3 weeks later it was removed and another drain placed 5 days later.  I will keep this drain in until the fluid is under 30 ml daily.  Some people just don't develop the tracts to move the lymph fluid like others.  I had sentinal lymph nodes removed and I guess that makes a difference.  I have been told not to give up so that is what I am telling your mother.  Don't give up.  It will stop eventually.  I am working on 3 months postop.
Fresen

[Fresen]

Hi
I am postmastectomy and lymph node dissection and had a drain in for 23 days.  After it was removed I had a seroma develop and had needle drainage 8 times and then a drain was placed again.  3 weeks later it was removed and another drain placed 5 days later.  I will keep this drain in until the fluid is under 30 ml daily.  Some people just don't develop the tracts to move the lymph fluid like others.  I had sentinal lymph nodes removed and I guess that makes a difference.  I have been told not to give up so that is what I am telling your mother.  Don't give up.  It will stop eventually.  I am working on 3 months postop.
Fresen

[mpepper311]

Thanks for your comment, we are heading back to the doctor this afternoon for the replacement of the drain (uck!)  she is very wonderful and thinks that this may being caused by the chemo being taken before the surgery.  Unfortunatley the tumor was attached to the chest wall and she had to undergo the chemo first!  My biggest fear is that the cancer will come back, as I can not imagine going through this all over again, but I keep my prayers up and try to keep a positive outlook both for myself and my mom!  Again thanks so much for the info.

mpepper

[BhumikaMD]

Hi,

How is she doing now?

Has the drain been put? What did the doctor advise? Were any medications prescribed?

When do you need to review with the doctor?

Regards.

[mpepper311]

Drain went in today, she has had it drined every day for the past two weeks with 50 ml coming out just about every day, but her doctor tried and there was no other way the drainages justbecame too unbearable and we live at least an hour each way from the office.  She is having lots of bone pain so another scan and another waiting game and hoping the cancer has not spread.  She is in so much pain and it seems like it has gotton worse not better! Gosh cancer sucks!  Sorry it is a bad for us both.  Thanks for asking and for everyone's support.

mpepper311

[BhumikaMD]

Hi,

It must be very disturbing for both of you to have to go through all this.

You need to be strong and hope that things will eventually fall into place.

Talk to your doctor whether a tumor marker level needs to be done.

Post us about how she is doing and if you have any other doubts.

Best wishes.

[mpepper311]

Hi,

I wrote a few weeks ago about the complications following my mom's surgery.  Two weeks ago she had to have another surgery I think it was called debring, although no sure really.  Is this common? What could the cause of such a delayed healing?  Do you think we need to worry about cancer anywhere else that may be the underlying cause of all this?  Have you ever heard of anyone taking such a long time to heal?  The thing is she is in constant pain, and I mean constant and that is very hard to see on a daily basis.   Thank you for any advice you can give me.  I just want you to know her surgeon is absolutely wonderful I have full confidence in her I am just looking for any insight.

[rotaryrms]

hello!
I am a dermatologist. My wife had MRM on ist december 2008. She had drain around 11 days. Since at the site of insertion it got inflamed and was removed. Since then she started developing seroma. She has to go to surgeon every alternate day for draingae of serous fluid.It was around 170 cc per day when the drainge was there. now it is around 230 cc alternate day. but it does not reduce at all.

She is undergoing first cycle of FEc on 25th and I am worried this repeated draining procedure may cause infection which will be enhanced by Chemotherapy. What should be done?