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Breast swelling normal after partial mastectomy?

Page last modified on: August 20, 2008

Question from KHU: My mother-in-law had a partial mastectomy just over 1 month ago. She is typically a size B cup but the breast swelled to at least a size DD and may have only gone down to a D now. The bruising is getting a little better. Is this type of swelling normal? What should she do?: Answer —Kristin Brill, M.D., F.A.C.S.: The swelling is likely from hematoma, meaning blood and fluid collection, and is common after surgery even one month out. Eventually, depending on the size of the collection, the body will absorb this fluid and ultimately, she should be back to her pre-operative size. But some scarring may actually form, so there could be some mild alteration in size or shape.

On Wednesday, May 21, 2008, our Ask-the-Expert Online Conference was called After Surgery: Short-term and Long-term Effects. Kristin Brill, M.D., F.A.C.S. and Linda Miller, P.T. answered your questions about short-term and long-term side effects of breast surgery, and what you can do about them.

The materials presented in these conferences do not necessarily reflect the views of Breastcancer.org. A qualified healthcare professional should be consulted before using any therapeutic product or regimen discussed. All readers should verify all information and data before employing any therapies described here.

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Meet the Experts

Kristin Brill, M.D., F.A.C.S. is a breast surgeon and clinical instructor at the Thomas Jefferson University Department of Surgery in Philadelphia, PA. She also maintains a practice in Cherry Hill, N.J. Dr. Brill is a fellow of the American College of Surgeons. In addition, she has published breast cancer research in medical journals such as Annals of Plastic Surgery and Cancer, and she has presented research at the American Society of Clinical Oncology.

Linda Miller, P.T. is the clinical director of the Breast Cancer Physical Therapy Center, LTD, a private practice serving the Philadelphia, PA and southern New Jersey areas. Linda specializes in treating post-operative complications of breast cancer surgery, including lymphedema.