I’m cancer free, following a lumpectomy, margins and four lymphnodes removed, after the initial biopsy, taken during general mammogram screening had found abnormal cells in a sentinel node.
Following surgery I developed complications resulting in extracting of 350mls of blood taken through 4 aspirations over 5wks weeks. Eventually the hematomas were surgically removed.
One week after the hematoma procedure I voiced concerns to the radiology oncologist, who hadn’t read my records but reluctantly agreed to wait 3wks until the breast had recovered. My concern is that I’ve got a very hard lump (possibly lymphoma?) near the incision area. The BCN telephone advisor says it doesn’t sound like a seroma.
It’s really hard to get through or speak to the BCN team, but I’d really like my breast to heal before having anymore treatments, especially with all the potential complications.
What is the longest period of time patients can postpone their radiotherapy, and could I start the AI treatment while I’m waiting?
Hi 17-02-23
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I don’t know why you think you’ve got lymphoma but this sounds like it’s related to your surgery and more like a hard seroma. Personally, I’d be booking in with the breast surgeon as it relates to the surgery and asking for an ultrasound to check it out. It sounds perfectly rational that this is a continuation of the issues you’ve had. I’ve had loads of issues with seromas and also a reactive lymph node that got left behind in the node clearance (it was luckily negative on biopsy). I would absolutely be being cleared fully surgically before you go further or at least making sure you’re being discussed at the next MDTM by the oncologist in charge of your radiotherapy and the original surgeon. They’ll know the best course of action by far. X
After surgery there is often a hard area of scar tissue. I still have that now after axillary clearance and 3 lumpectomy ops. I doubt its lymphoma as that is cancer of lymph glands. Lymphodema could cause swelling but that wouldnt be hard. I’d definitely try and get checked by your surgeon’s team, or the gp. Hopefully they can put your mind at ease. I don’t think there’s a time issue for your radiotherapy. I had my initial surgery in January and have had 2 more ops since. If I have chemo it will be months until radio, but if I have radio next, it is already 4 weeks since last op, so it’ll be ages for me too. I expect you can start your medication before though. Good luck and try not to worry…they will get you sorted. Xxx
Hey,
I had a lumpectomy back in December last year (3 days before Xmas!) and I’m still very lumpy and bumpy around the scar area, apparently that’s normal so my oncologist said and could stay that way for many months …so if worried just ask your team…I’m sure it’s normal for you also…good luck in your journey.x
I waited a long time for radiotherapy due to waiting lists. It was about 14 weeks. Not good, I was told (by oncology) it would increase risk of recurrence. I did start Letrozole while waiting.
Good luck x
I finally got through to the BC team, will be seeing them this afternoon. It was the BC hub advisor who said its probably lymphodema (sorry initially used wrong term). The surgeon removed the dressing last week was none committal when I asked and he said no to it being a seroma. I mentioned the radiotherapy was postponed until swelling from the hematoma procedure had gone down.
Thank you so much everyone, for putting my mind at ease.
I’m 65, I’ve been lucky to have never received any surgeries. However, spent childhood of illnesses so incredibly sensitive to medications, and I’ve previously had fibromyalgia, severe headaches and bone loss, which is probably increasing my anxiety 
@17-02-23 Bless you! Definitely better to have lymphoedema than lymphoma! 
Anxiety about healing after the surgery is so hard because it’s all so new and awful anyway. It’s no wonder you’re struggling with it.
Try and get a scan. Your consultant should want to know definitely what it is. It doesn’t sound abnormal, just unlucky but they should at least want to know. Don’t be afraid to advocate for yourself and say “I want a scan to ascertain what it is so that we can schedule radiotherapy appropriately!” You have every right to direct your care! X
Hi 17-02-23
Thanks for posting.
As others have said, it sounds like the lump you describe may be connected with the issues you’ve had so far following your first operation.
Although the development of lymphoedema is possible after surgery, general swelling and oedema is common and is more likely if you’ve had more than one operation and a haematoma.
Radiotherapy is given after surgery to reduce the risk of breast cancer coming back. If you don’t need chemotherapy, radiotherapy will usually start four to eight weeks after surgery.
Radiotherapy can be delayed for a medical reason though, for example if you need to wait for a wound to heal or if you develop a seroma or haematoma. However, it’s understandable that you wish to know how long treatment could be postponed safely.
Other than the NICE Guidelines there is no formal guidance for time to deliver radiotherapy from surgery when someone is not having chemotherapy. Although this would usually be within 12 weeks, there may still be benefit to receiving radiotherapy after a 12 week period. The risk of not having adjuvant radiotherapy within this time may be affected by many factors such as tumour type, size, margins, if nodes were positive and hormone receptor status.
If you are going to be taking hormone therapy, treatment teams may suggest waiting until the radiotherapy is finished so you don’t have to manage side effects from two treatments at the same time. However, where there is a delay, they may suggest that hormone therapy is started sooner.
It sounds as though it would be a good idea to discuss your concerns again with your treatment team and as others have suggested, ask for further assessment to ascertain the cause of the lump in your breast.
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 more support and information if necessary. Your call will be confidential, and the number is free from UK landlines and all mobile networks. The number is 0808 800 6000, (Relay UK -prefix 18001).
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Best wishes
Catherine
Breast Care Nurse
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