Starting radiotherapy but lump in armpit

Hi. I’m due to start radiotherapy on Monday, following a lumpectomy and node biopsy six weeks ago - five nodes were taken and were all clear, thankfully. The scar under my armpit has been lumpy and quite sore for a while and I was told I had a small seroma at my appointment post-surgery. The scar is finally more comfortable to touch, but still lumpy and I was surprised to feel yesterday that there appears to be a hard mass near the scar deep in the armpit, which is only noticeable by touch when my arm is nearly close to my side. I can’t feel it when my arm is raised. I’ll bring this up with the radiotherapy team on Monday. I’m wondering if this would have shown up on the planning CT scan at the beginning of the month. I was so desperate to get the radiotherapy done next week, but now I’m really worried that something nasty has happened in the last six weeks. I’m really hoping it’s a seroma, but it feels large and solid. Can seromas feel like this? I’d be grateful for any words of advice. Thank you.

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Hi there, when I had my SNB, the feeling and scarring felt worse than when I had my mastectomy bizarrely. I definitely had discomfort under my arm and where the edge of your bra sits for quite a while after. I’m sure your radiotherapy team will be able to explain more when you see them. Wishing you all the best, lots of love xx

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Hello hun,

It’s quite normal to have bumpy scar tissue - especially under the armpit.

The scar under my armpit for the node removal was actually far worse than the breast lumpectomy scars. The pain there was so much more intense.
Are you massaging it daily? It really does help. Get some ace no or moisturiser of choice and give it a deep massage daily,

I actually got my husband to do it, it was his way of helping me get through it and I found it better someone else rubbing the scar tissue for me, my scar is now quite smooth but it really wasn’t like that in the beginning.

Big hugs xx

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Thanks so much. x

Thanks for your advice. x

Hi there
Seromas or haemotoma can feel hard, lumpy, squishy or fluid depending on contents (fluid, blood, old blood) and healing time

Its worth having your breast team look at it in advance of radiotherapy if you can as they can drain it for you and make you more comfortable

Radiotherapy can also affect the seroma or haemotoma and so yes moisturiser and massage are vital now , through the radiotherapy and fir weeks after as your skin heals from this too

Hope it goes ok for you

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Thank you. x

Thanks for everyone’s help. It turned out that since the underarm area wasn’t going to be receiving radiotherapy treatment, they were able to go ahead with the planned treatment and told me to contact the breast team at my surgery hospital regarding the underarm.