Why does seroma go from yellow to pink?

[Sunshine1960]

I need help really bad. I have had 3 surgeries - right breast - milk ducts removed - mass behind nipple along with mass behind where milk ducts were (DCIS). Lump removed left breast (LDIS). Radia. for 7 wks. & now Tamoxifen (bone pain) I have been dealing with seroma draining from the scar with every surgery. This time is different. Last surgery 10/15/08 - mass behind nipple. Seroma has been draining since surgery - yellowish color. Last 2 days really bad burning - the whole nipple area, even woke me up this morning. Went to change the gauge - once the tight bra was loose & gauge removed - of course - drained alot. Seroma started to have a really, really bad ordor a week ago. Doctor said's not worried about odor. It smells like rotten meat to me. I smell it all the time. Now - just a few minutes ago - same as above - but now seroma has a pink color to it. It looks like blood - the burning does not stop. It hurts all the time. Has anybody else had the same thing happen to them? Please let me know ASAP - I need to know I am not alone with this. Is this a bad sign? I really need an answer so I know what to do and what to expect. Thank you to anyone who can help me. God Bless, Sunshine (trying not to cry all the time)

[shirdev]

My mother is having the same problem. It smells badly. did your wound heal??? was it infected? what was done? please respond.

[Sunshine1960]

Hi japdip -
When I had my 2nd surgery 2/08 - radia. began 3/31/08 after everything healed. Than another surgery 10/08 - current problem is still seroma draining thru any opening it could find. Than last night the pink color started draining - looks like blood - this is a first for me. This is the 2nd hospital - the first one - my doctor threw her hands up in the air and said she does not know what to do for me anymore. So I left w/files and now at a very good hospital. The odor began a week ago when no blood was present. The doctor is not worried about it. I wanted to know if this happened to anyone else. It smells like something is dying inside my breast and causing the bad odor. Since yesterday morning really bad burning pain under the whole nipple area that woke me up. Maybe you know who this happened to - guide me to a site with this info. I couldn't find anything. Thank you & appreciate you writing, it ALL helps. Sunshine

[japdip]

There may have been a small hematoma present and it might be draining along with the serum. It wouldn't have a very pleasant odor; old blood certainly has a bad smell. The Dr. could tell the difference between that and the odor of an infection. The part that I don't quite understand is why it is draining from the incision and why Radiation was started before healing had taken place ... If I were you I would see another Physician about this ... something is not right about this and a second opinion might very well clear things up for you. There is nothing wrong with seeking another opinion; we are entitled to one under any circumstance. Please keep us posted ....

[Sunshine1960]

Hi Chris,
Thank you for writing me. The doctor felt no drain necessary. Third surgery with no drains. Given gauze and surgical bras with first 2 surgeries, but not last one. My new doctor feels that the really bad smell is not a sign of anything bad. You stated it should be checked out - I went and the doctor did smell it - but said not to worry. What could the bad smell be from? Any ideas? It would help. I have tried a sports bra - doctor felt that the tighter the bra - less seroma and the walls will close. But - no changes - still the same. I will be calling the doctor's office first thing in the morning. Don't know if I should go to the dentist to have three old cavities that are falling out fix. Just had a cleaning, but very scared to go to the dentist to have the above fix. I know it sounds funny, but very scared that something is going to go wrong and it will get infected and more pain for me to have to endure. Don't need anymore problems. Thinking about cancelling the appt. I hope a doctor can help me tomorrow - I need to start healing. In relief fast. Thank you, Kathy

[healingwell62]

Hi again!

I've read through your post a couple of times.  So your last surgery was about 6 weeks ago, right?  Did you ever have a JP drain in?  It should have drained a lot of the fluid off that your body was initially producing.  You've got gauze and one of the Jobst surgical bras?  Did your dr. say if you can switch yet to a more comfortable bra like a sports bra?  It is my understanding that any drainage that has a bad smell to it should be checked out.  Is there someone on call for your surgeon's practice that could answer some of these questions for you today so that you could have a little bit of peace?  I think pink drainage color is not a bad sign, but to me it indicates some new blood in the usually yellow  drainage.  I'm so sorry for the pain you are experiencing.  That can be so hard to endure.  Is there anything you've been prescribed that will lessen it?  Can you discuss this with the on call dr. for your surgeon?  I know we've discussed pain before, but for now I'm thinking about the present so you can get some relief.

Let me know what you find out.

Hang in there,

Chris
Healingwell62
Breast Cancer Community Leader