Chronic Breast Ulcer

[suzisuz96]

Hello! I’m new here. I wondered if you had any advice on dealing with a surgical wound that wont close.

I was diagnosed with DCIS in November 2024. I had my first surgery in January 2025, unfortunately I got an infection that caused my wound to burst and I had to have a debridement surgery in February.

Since then, the wound has not fully healed/closed despite various interventions. I have tried numerous PICO dressings and other dressings ranging from honey and silver to surgical glue. I also used a large vac device (Renasys Touch) for over a month .

Finally, I had a third surgery in June to try to close the wound so I could complete my Radiotherapy, which had been delayed numerous times, but the wound is still oozing. It is much much smaller than it was previously, but I am concerned that it has gone on for so long now and an open wound is obviously at risk of inflection.

My nurse is now referring to it as a ‘chronic breast ulcer’. On my last visit he advised trying sudacrem, but said honestly that he was running out of options. Do you know of a miracle cure/cream/gel? Thanks is advance for any help!

I should add that I had the radiotherapy despite it not being fully closed.

Thank you!

[Nurse_BCN]

Hi suzisuz96

Thanks for posting on our forum

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Lisa

Ask Our Nurses service co-ordinator

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[Nurse_BCN]

Hi suzisuz96

Thank you for your post. It sounds like a difficult time for you waiting for your breast wound to heal.

Delays in wound healing and infection can happen after breast surgery as you are experiencing. The length of time to healing can vary greatly when infection leads to wound breakdown.

It’s reassuring that the wound is now much smaller and that you are in regular contact with your breast treatment team as they are best placed to assess the wound and advise on treatment and dressings.

Some hospitals have access to specialist nurses in wound care (often called tissue viability nurses) and it may be helpful to discuss this option with your treatment team.

A healthy lifestyle can help with recovery after treatment. Maintaining a well-balanced diet, staying hydrated and not smoking can all speed up the healing process.

Talking to someone who has had a similar experience can often be helpful. Our Someone Like Me service can match you with a trained volunteer who’s had a similar experience to you. You can be in touch with your volunteer by phone or email and they can share their personal experiences to answer your questions, offer support or simply listen to how you are feeling.

You can ring the Someone Like Me team on 0800 138 6551 or email them at someone.likeme@breastcancernow.org, so they can then match you to your volunteer

Do call our helpline if you would like to talk this through or have any further questions. The helpline team have time to listen, talk things through and signpost you to additional support and information if necessary. Your call will be confidential, and the number is free from UK landlines and all mobile networks.

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Best wishes

Stephanie

Breast Care Nurse

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As we are unable to monitor for further replies, this thread will now be closed. If you have any additional questions or would like to provide feedback, please start a new thread, call our helpline, email us or request a call back.