Lumpectomy/radiation -vs dbl mastectomy/recon

[Suer1949]

I had my yearly mammagram done 6/5/08, I was told possible increase in calcifications further studies needed. I went back 6/26/08 for digital mammagram and they said increase of microcalcifications in the subareolar & periareolar aspects of the right breast. Calcifications apprear to be predominatly secretory & benign. Other calcifications are vascular. Six month follow up right mammagram is suggested. The hopsital refused to do the ultrasound my doctor requested. I fought with myself for a few months and then went to a breast surgeon. I had the biopsie done 10/31/08, I had DCIS cancer stage 0. On 11/22/08 I had as lumpectomy done. I was too have radiation for 6-8 weeks. The results came back too much cancer spread throughtout the ducts. I had a biltateral mastectomy without reconstruction 1/29/09. My issue now is fluid build up. I have had it drained out by surgeon every week. I am to have an Ultrasound guided bilaterial seroma decompression 3/25/09. When my drains were removed at 12 days post op, drainage never came out of the drain hole sites. I still cannot wear a bra or have the fitting for my prosthesis.

[SueYoung55]

I think you need to get back to your breast surgeon for this. This happens on occasion but shouldn't be happening this far out from surgery.

Did you have cancer? You mention 10 cm, which is the size of my cancerous mass but I had a mastectomy as they wouldn't have been able to close me up with a lumpectomy, nor was it an option with that large mass.

I would go so far as to say get a second opinion. Something isn't right.

Best wishes.

[pk39]

Hi,
  I had a lumpectomy 03/23/09. I developed a large seroma near the surgury site one week after the drain was removed. I had my breast drained once, it put out 100mg of dark fluid. Now my breast is hurting, pain in my chest at times. My breast is so larger and I am sure the fluid is back. How and when does this end. My tumor was 10 cm. I had a larger hole left behind. I really would like more info on this problem.

Thanks,
Pk39

[japdip]

I've read your post 3 times and don't really see a question there. You certainly have had a time with this fluid accumulation and this isn't something that happens often. I'm curious as to the amt. of drainage from the drains when they were removed. There shouldn't have been any drainage from the sites where the drains entered the skin. The drains are placed a fair distance from the insertion point. Evidently you are being followed very closely by your Surgeon and hopefully your situation will be resolved soon.   Regards ...