How do you handle post-op, pre-radiation breast seromas and hematomas?

It depends on what I'm doing. If the patient is being treated to only the whole breast, like with the Canadian protocol, then I tend to do nothing. I just go ahead and treat. The hematoma usually won't resolve enough to change the volume over the three weeks. If I feel this patient needs a boost, th...

This varies based on volume, time since surgery and patients symptomatology

Most seromas are asymptomatic and regresses with time and thus need no intervention. Symptomatic or large seromas ( usally 100cc or more) are usally addressed with aspirtaion and we wait for few weeks before initiating CT si...

Is anyone aware of any published data on post-RT outcomes in this patient population?

I have seen a number of breast Ca patients with large post-op seromas/hematomas (at 6-8 weeks post-surgery) and am wondering whether there is a proven utility of aspiration/evacuation in patients scheduled for whol...