hi, swelling started in chest area under arm, armpit and arm, as bra was too uncomfortable and chaffing/ cutting into underarm found a sturdy bra with sleeves, anyway didnt stop fluid building and seroma after drain removal, had seroma drained today but already feels like is building up again. swelling in arm didnt reduce after aspiration today, could that be start of lymphodema? 2 wks today had smx and full node clearance armpit. what should i do now? have taken bra off and it is lush having scar ‘airing’!!!
Hi @mer
So sorry for what you are going through. I had a lot of trouble with seroma also, after a mastectomy/muscle shave/node clearance. It didn’t finally clear until about 3 weeks post-op, when I had it aspirated again. Once your chest wall is healed it should settle
Post-op, I was taught some lymphoedema prevention exercises by a physio. It was a progression of movement that she said would move fluid up my arm and into the lymphatic drainage system in my chest. It was 5x fist clenches - 5x wrist bends - 5x elbow bends - 5x gentle shoulder shrugs - 5x very deep breaths.
I still do this, 17years later, if my arm tightens while I’m driving long distances.
Hope this may help you over the weekend, and surely can’t hurt. I think though, you should contact the BC nurses in your area and hopefully get referred to a physio or lymphoedema nurse, if you have worries about your arm. There is a lymphoedema prevention booklet with the Breast Cancer Now information service. You can order and get one sent. Also you can talk to the BC nurses here on the helpline.
Wishing you good healing and sending virtual hugs
Eily 
1 Like
thanks, i will get in touch with BCN again monday, after aspiration yesterday i’m not worrying so much as it sounds like its quite common. now to just stay cool in this lovely hot weather! all best wishes, cheers x
ah yes, i have that booklet and some sheets from BCN with other exercises, will dig them out, thanks again
Hi mer
Thank you for posting.
It sounds as if you have been having quite a lot of discomfort due to the seroma you describe and it’s understandable you’re concerned that the swelling in your arm might be the start of lymphoedema
We often hear from people who have developed a seroma after breast surgery and the fluid that collects may be reabsorbed over time. However, as you have experienced the fluid can cause discomfort and may restrict your arm movement and prevent you doing your arm and shoulder exercises. If this is the case the seroma may be drained as yours has been. As @Eily has said, the seroma can build up again and may need to be drained again. Hopefully you have been able to contact your breast care nurse today and they can assess you fully. You can also ask them about whether you need to wear a different bra. Our information on bras after breast surgery may be of interest to you.
Lymphoedema is swelling caused by a build-up of lymph fluid in the surface tissues of the body. This can happen because of damage to the lymphatic system following surgery and/or radiotherapy to the breast or armpit (axilla). Sometimes it can be caused by cancer cells in the lymph system or when having chemotherapy. Other risk factors include being overweight and infection in the arm or hand.
It’s not clear why some people develop lymphoedema and others do not, but lymphoedema can develop soon after treatment or may occur many years later. The risk is greatest for those who have both surgery and radiotherapy to the axilla (armpit). People who have had a sentinel lymph node biopsy only, have a reduced risk of developing lymphoedema compared to people who have had a number of lymph nodes removed.
Symptoms of lymphoedema include swelling in the arm, hand, fingers, breast, or chest wall on the side of the body where you had your surgery or radiotherapy. The arm can feel tight and uncomfortable, and the skin can become dry.
It isn’t possible for us to say whether the swelling you describe is the start of lymphoedema or has another cause. But again, do talk to your breast care nurse about it as she can assess you fully and if necessary, refer you to the lymphoedema team.
There are ways in which to help reduce the risk of lymphoedema developing. Try to use your arm normally as you’re more likely to increase your risk of lymphoedema by overly protecting your arm and not using it enough. Maintaining a healthy weight and exercising (as able) will reduce the burden on the lymphatic system. Infection in your ‘at risk’ arm can cause swelling and may damage the lymphatic system leading to lymphoedema. It’s important to keep the skin clean and well moisturised to reduce the risk of skin damage and infection. Tips on how to help reduce the risk of infection can be found in the link above. You can read more in our booklet Reducing the risk of lymphoedema which you mention you have a copy of.
We offer a range of free supportive services for anyone who has had a diagnosis of breast cancer which you may be interested in. They include face to face and online courses and events.
You are welcome to 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.
The number is 0808 800 6000. If you have hearing or speech difficulties prefix our number with 18001 and the call will go through Relay UK. Our helpline has access to telephone interpreters if language translation is required.
If you would prefer one of our nurses to call you. Please complete this form ticking the box agreeing to a call back.
Our usual opening hours are Monday to Friday 9am - 4pm and 9am -1pm on Saturday.
Out of hours you can leave a message and we will call you back when we next open.
We’re continually evaluating this service. If you want to provide feedback, please click the link to complete the survey . It should take approximately 10 minutes.
Best wishes
Val
Breast Care Nurse
Please read the disclaimer Full details on how we collect and use your data can be found in our Privacy Policy
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.