Aseromais a common occurrence after amastectomyused to treat breast cancer.
This article describes the causes and symptoms of breast seromas, including what they feel like.
It also explains how seromas are diagnosed and treated.
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What Does a Seroma Look and Feel Like?
Initially, there may be localized swelling, redness, and discomfort in or around the treated area.
A lump usually develops within a day or so and can gradually get larger.
The lump itself usually feels squishy and tender to the touch.
This can increase the risk of an infection if bacteria get inside the wound.
Neither of these effects are uncommon or serious, but they can affect the interpretation of mammograms.
This is because calcification also occurs with breast cancer and can lead to a false positive reading.
Breast seromas can also lead tolymphedemaif lymph ducts are blocked by scar tissue.
With lymphedema, lymph fluid backs up into surrounding tissues, causing swelling and discomfort.
Having a large seroma nearly doubles the risk oflymphedemaafter breast cancer surgery.
What Causes Breast Seromas?
Seromas are the result of an inflammatory response following an injury to tissues.
The dilation, in turn, causes yellowishserous fluidsto leak into surrounding tissues.
This can lead to a pocket of fluid, or a seroma.
Surgical drains can reduce (but not eliminate) the risk of a seroma following breast surgery.
Ultrasound is often the best tool to identify a seroma.
The fluid pocket shows up as a dark area.
If a seroma becomes calcified, it will be visible on a mammogram.
It is also important to keep the skin overlying a seroma clean, especially after fine needle aspiration.
In this procedure, the skin is numbed with a local anesthetic.
FNA can increase the risk of infection, although the risk is low if performed under sterile conditions.
Serous fluid can build up after drainage, so the procedure may need to be repeated.
Can You Prevent Seromas?
Certain surgical techniques may increase or decrease the risk of seromas.
Speak with your surgeon if you have concerns about developing a seroma.
Getting lumps checked out right away can help ease your mind as well as catch any reoccurrence quickly.
If you have a painful seroma, it can make wearing a bra difficult.
You may want to experiment with different fits and tightnesses to see what’s most comfortable.
Summary
Breast seromas are pockets of serous fluid that are generally nothing to worry about.
Cancer Treatment Centers of America.Seroma.
2017;43(5):S32.
