Hematoma

[Linda J]

Hello, I had a small breast cyst aspirated yesterday and the surgeon hit an artery during the aspiration. She said I will be bruised and have a hematoma. Today my breast is bruised and I can feel a lump where the cyst was. This is upsetting to me. Will the hematoma resolve? She told me to ice it. Is there anything else I can do? And, now on future mammograms will they want to biopsy this new "lump"?

Linda J

[CCF-RN,MSN-rf]

Dear Linda J:  Hematomas are a collection of blood that form under the skin (also known as a bruise).  These can happen within the breast and can be quite large and feel like a lump.  Unfortunately, hematomas will resolve but it can take a long time (months) and they can sometimes be uncomfortable.  Hematomas do not require biopsy.  

[Linda J]

Thanks for the info. I had visions of having to have the hematoma biopsied too. Then, I'd say, I'd have been better off keeping the cyst. lol. On and on it goes.

Linda J.