Lymph node removal side effects

[megb246]

Hi ladies,

I have just had some lymph nodes removed in my groin as there was a tumour, today i received hospital letter from surgeon listing many unpleasant risks of post operative surgury such as lymphocyst formation,secondary intention healing etc . My question is does this occur in week or two after surgury or are you under constant threat of cysts appearing for ever?? Has anyone had to deal with these conditions and how long did it take to deal with them please, thanks meg

[OvacomeSupport Partner My Ovacome Team]

Hello megb246,

I was just looking in to this issue so thought I'd share what I found, and hopefully a forum member will also post with some useful personal experience.

Lymphocysts are also known as lymphoceles and usually occur as a complication after surgery rather than spontaneously. They are a collection of lymphatic fluid caused by disruption to the body's usual lymphatic drainage system.

Smaller lymphoceles are asymptomatic and are dealt with by the body without difficulty, but if they grow larger they may cause symptoms such as lower abdominal pain, abdominal fullness, constipation, urinary frequency, and swelling of the genitals and/or legs. The skin may become reddened and swollen and a mass can sometimes be felt.

An ultrasound or CT scan will help to establish a diagnosis. The risks of developing a lymphocele increase with the extent of the removal of lymphatic tissue during surgery, and other factors such as tumour type and post-surgical medications used. You could contact your consultant to ask about your personal risk factors.

In answer to your question about risks over time, they will typically develop within four months after surgery. If a lymphocele/lymphocyst does develop, it can be managed by drainage and/or some types of exercise.

All the best for a complication-free recovery. Please do give us a call on the Supportline if you would like to discuss anything further.

Best wishes,

Laura Nott

Support Services

[win_56]

Hi Meg glad you finally had your surgery and hopefully everything will be ok and you don't get any of these side affects if the surgery. Onwards and upwards now as they say. Fingers crossed for you. Stay ion touch. June.x

[megb246 in reply to win_56]

thanks June, just catching my breath before another round of chemo then the dreaded parb, hope your last chemo goes as well as it can then best results from scan for you xxx

[win_56 in reply to megb246]

I know what you mean...the dreaded parb. I'll give it a shot too....well fingers crossed my last chemo then hopefully get good results 🙏.xx

[delia2 in reply to megb246]

Hi. I know this is getting ahead of things when you are trying to recuperate from surgery so skip over it if it’s not relevant right now. I’m trying to give you one less thing to worry about! I’m kind of curious about your comment about the the dreaded PARP? I’ve been noticing a lot of people on forums talking about the terrible side effects and it’s surprising to me because also a lot of people are eager to get one. I am on Olaparib for first recurrence and it’s truly been a game changer. When I finished carbo caelyx I still had a tumor though much reduced. Olaparib shrank it to 2 mm in two months. If I didn’t have the PARP I would have gone from one chemo to another. Yes it makes me very tired and occasionally nauseous but it’s easier than chemo. I just wanted to throw this out there.

[Ge0rg1na]

Hi, I had similar surgery a few years ago and never had any problems. However it's good to be aware of the potential side effects so that you can alert the experts should they arise.

Good luck going forward Gx

[Realistic]

I really hope and pray that you dont get any more complications. It good to see other peoples experiences and advice.

Take care & l wish you well Love & hugs

SheilaF. Xx

[delia2]

Hi. Sorry for posting twice in response to your post! I’m giving you my experience with lymphocele but I really hope you won’t have any problems yourself. After surgery and frontline chemo a CT scan showed an enlarged iliac node. I was afraid it was cancer but a PET scan showed it wasn’t and they said it was a lymphocele. I was so focused on it’s not being cancer I didn’t ask about it. I had had 20 lymph nodes removed during debulking four months earlier. About a month later I developed lymphedema in both legs. I got fitted for compression stockings and wore them for a year. Meanwhile the lymphocele has slowly shrunk in every scan. And this summer when it was really hot and humid I couldn’t get the stockings on and haven’t worn them since June and my lymphedema is much improved. I can see some fluid but it’s very subtle. Anyway you probably won’t have a problem at all. I hope you have a smooth recovery!🌻🌻🌻

[Luci22]

Hi Meg,Just reading through posts about lymph node surgery. My mom recently had a CT that shows first recurrence in pelvic region lymph nodes. Hrs thinking of chemo and maybe surgery.

How are you feeling after your treatment? Did you get surgery first, then chemo?

Do you know what happens over they are removed? Do they grow back or will that affect anything not having them?

Looking for answers for my mom. Its a sad time for us again not trying to be positive.

Thx, Luci