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Breast Cancer/Breast Lymphedema Nonstop Drainage

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Expert: - 7/19/2011


Question
My aunt had 17 lymph nodes removed after a double mastectomy exactly one year ago.  The right breast was the one with the tumor.  After 4 months of having her seroma aspirated each week, she had JP drains put in to drain excess fluid with hopes of it eventually drying up.  Unfortunately it hasn't.  Her right breast swells and accumulates 100 grams of fluid each week.  The only explanation we've gotten is that when a cavity is made, the body has a natural tendency to fill it with fluid.  Our question is--where is this fluid originiating from and what treatment exists to stop it? In other words, how can we turn off the runny faucet?

Answer
The human body is to a large extent fluid (mostly water) so there is no problem of finding the fluid. It is everywhere. The rest of your question is outside my area of expertise here and should be answered by a surgeon - which I'm not. I'm a medical oncologist & radiation therapist. So I suggest that you direct that part to an expert of surgery here.



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Claes-Gustaf Nordquist, M.D.

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I`m a doctor of medicine and a specialist in radiation therapy and medical oncology. I have long experience in diagnostics and treatment of breast tumours.

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I'm a Doctor of Medicine and specialist in Medical Oncology and Radiation Therapy educated & trained in Sweden. Now retired. Background in Radiation Therapy, Medical Oncology, Radiation Protection, Nuclear Medicine, Diagnostic Radiology, Gynecological Oncology, Clinical Pathology, Clinical Cytology,Hematology and Internal Medicine. M.D. from the faculty of medicine, Royal Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden. Have also been an exchange student at the Hebrew University, Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem Israel. Former medical consultant, Swedish National Board of Radiation Protection. Former Police Surgeon and Medical Examiner, Stockholm Police Department. Former Chief Medical Officer, The Royal Guards, The Royal Horse Guards and the Royal Household Brigade, Royal Swedish Army Medical Corps.You can also reach me on: http://www.lifestylerescue.com/expert/health-fitness-advice/dr-claes-gustaf/128 I have no restrictions on the number of questions there.

I also answer questions about Oncology (General Cancer), General History, Military History, Brain Tumors, Colon Cancer

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I'm a medical doctor and specialist in medical oncology and radiation therapy.

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