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Big pouch under armpit post-mastectomy?

Posted , 3 users are following.

fana
fana

A family member of mine has had a mastectomy after being diagnosed with breast cancer.

It has been two weeks since the operation and she has a fairly large pouch which has appeared on the side of her body, under the armpit, on the same side as where the breast was removed. It's causing her considerable discomfort and is not reducing in size.

It is about 10cm long vertically and protruding 5cm horizontally from where her skin would normally rest.

We have been to see her breast cancer doctor and nurse, and they say there is nothing they can do about it. They say that this is not a build-up of fluid which occurs after such a treatment and so can't be drained. (She has been drained where her operation was, in the breast area, and about 200ml of fluid came out about a few days ago.)

I have not come across other patients having such pouches appear in the tens of thousands of words I've read about breast cancer and mastectomies.

Does anybody know such a pouch appearing under the armpit area and what can be done about it please?

Thank you very much. I appreciate your advice.

0 likes, 4 replies

4 Replies

  • fana
    fana

    Posted

    I attach a picture of the pouch in case that helps.

    It isn't clear, but is visible towards the top of the picture.

    Thanks a million for your help.

  • sue34151
    sue34151 fana

    Posted

    Hi there I had a mastectomy 12 years ago and since then have come into contact with many ladies who have had this operation but I have never heard of anyone having this pouch come up, did she have a reconstruction at the same time? I would be extremely worried about this does she have a breast care nurse she can speak to, she should still be under the care of the hospital so the fact that they say there's nothing they can do about this is just not good enough and I would be very quick to tell them that I am not happy with their diagnosis and want further investigations as soon as possible, how long was she in hospital for was there any sign of this pouch then, the fact that they have drained this and found fluid she be convincing them to investigate further, and I would recommend she keeps on at them until she is satisfied, I'm sorry to hear she's not having a good recovery but please try to get her to not let this go.

    good luck 

    kind regards suexxxxxxx

  • poemsgalore55
    poemsgalore55 fana

    Posted

    I had a mastectomy on December 12th 2013. I still have a pouch beneath my left arm where I also had 3 lymph nodes removed. It doesn't hurt, but sometimes feels a bit uncomfortable. When I went for my first annual breast check, I was told that surgeons sometimes leave extra tissue behind, in case further surgery is needed at a later date. It gives a bit extra room to perform such surgery. She also told me I could opt to have it 'tidied up' if I wanted. It might be a good idea to ask  if this would be possible at a later date, when she has recovered from the mastectomy.
  • fana
    fana

    Posted

    Thank you for your prompt Bank Holiday replies! It is greatly appreciated.

    There wasn't a reconstruction.

    Further to your replies, we'll ask the nurses again if anything can be done. We've raised it a couple of times now, but they just dismiss it saying nothing can be done.

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