Fuild build up a year on?

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Hi,

I haven’t been on the forums for some time. My Mum was diagnosed with breast cancer in August 2007 and she had chemo followed by a lumpectomy but then had to have a mastectomy. She had a reconstruction using skin from the back (sorry not sure of the technical term).

She had this op in May 2008 but over the weekend she has had a build up of fluid under the scar on the back and also where she had the lymph nodes removed. Although it’s not painful, Mum says it feels really tight. She’s going to the consultant tonight to have it drained and for him to look at it but I’m really scared that something else is wrong. She hasn’t had any need for fluid to be drained since abuot three weeks after the op. Has anyone else experienced this or know what can cause it?

Thanks for your help.

Michelle.

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Hi Michelle. I had a WLE in Feb and had a small amount of fluid after the surgery, but not enough for the surgeon to want to drain it and it has been absorbed by my body. Yesterday, however, I notice a red patch on my boob and a hard area that wasn’t there before (on the other side of from the WLE). I went to the clinic today and had an ultrasound. The result of which was that it was fluid and I have an infection, so I’m on antibiotics. The bcn told me that they’d seen another lady today with the same thing, who was 1 year post surgery, and that it can happen at any time in the 2 years post op.

No idea what causes it I’m afraid. One of life’s little mysteries…

Hope your Mum gets on ok.

Sal x

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Hi Michelle

I had a bi lateral MX in February and had fluid drained a few times in the weeks immediately post op.

Then out of the blue in June fluid started building up again and the surgeon drained it. It immediately reappeared and had to be drained again.But yet again it is back. I have seen both the surgeon and onc who insist this happens sometimes and it is nothing to worry about.
Of course with BC we worry about everything but I am now being told that the best way forward may be to just leave things alone and let my body sort itself out. The fluid lump is uncomfortable but not painful, but I am at the moment undecided about just living with it.

I would be interested to hear what your Mums surgeon has to say

Andie