Thanks all for your prompt answers. It is nice to know there are others out there who understand. My wounds are created by the tumour in my breast pressing on the skin on the underside of my breast which is swollen. The tumour with it's cauliflour head had actually started to pinch the skin in. The solution was to do 15 radiation treatments which went well and all looked good at first, but the sores caused by the radiation blisters or maybe just weakness of the skin didn't heal. These sores are cancer related. I saw the radiation doctor last week along with a new oncologist, and they are going to have a surgeon look at it but they are not hopeful that surgery is an option. I asked could I put anything on the sores besides the saline solution and the answer was no. Also, asked at the wound care clinic where I go. Same answer. The breast is very sore and tender and the wounds are weeping now pretty steadily. Not heavy but when I move around doing light chores, they are irritated. I just wondered if anyone else has had this happen? I am feeling hopeless! The radiation nurse has said she doesn't think they will ever heal. I have just started on Faslodex/Ibrance . Maybe that will kill the cancer or at least shrink the tumours away from the skin. I know the doctors were hoping for shrinkage. Taking a week off Ibrance because of low blood.
Anyone out there heard of t his happening? Can it be managed or will it continure to grow?
Cheers, June S.
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It sounds like you may have the same type of wound as me, a fungating wound or ulcerating wound. I was told it was too late for surgery or radiation because I was diagnosed denovo. It started to open up just before I started on ibrance. I think the ibrance kept it in check for a little while but lately it seems to be growing more. I checked into surgery but after weighing things out I decided I only want to get surgery if it is absolutely necessary. The surgeon said in terms of the cancer, it won't make any difference if I get surgery. It would only help with wound management. Most of the time my wound has not bothered me much, but lately it's moving more towards the outer part of the breast and the pressure on the tissue is creating some pain. I'm going to discuss this a little more with my onc next appointment. My understanding is these wounds are rare.
Hi, I am sorry you are having such a rough time. The next time that you go to the doctor, ask if you can put one teaspoon of Clorox (or bleach) in a quart of saline and mix it well. Use this to clean out wound three times a day and then put light dressing on it after it has dried.
My stomach opened up after having the diep flap reconstruction years ago.
I was so frustrated after weeks of what you are going through and asked plastic surgeon if there was anything I could do to speed up healing. He told me to add the Clorox. There was a difference though as mine was not infected. Please run this by your doc first. Mine started healing very quickly
Thanks Hannah. I hope I understand your situation. My wound is caused by the cancer tumour pressing on the skin. Not sure if the the wound was actually caused by the tumour or because of radiation and blistering the skin was broken and with the tumour there it won't heal. The tumour had already pressed so much on the skin that it had pinched the skin inwards. Too bad. It should have been looked after sooner. I was seeing Oncologists every 3 months but it got unfortunately got missed. (more to the story.)
Anyhow, my wounds aren't large yet, but the larger one is weeping steadily. More later. Have to go out.
It's not the same at all because mine was an open wound with oozing. It opened up during healing after reconstruction surgery and there wasn't any infection, but since it worked quickly for me, I thought it was worth mentioning to your doctor. I hope it heals soon. Mine was so awful until it did. Blessings Hannah
Hi June Sorry to hear you’re going through this, I had a similar problem develop 4 years after de novo diagnosis (secondaries in lungs) I had 10 radiotherapy treatments in June 2018 as the primary had broken down the skin, it helped for a while but never healed, it was oozing and stinking and painful, the oncologist I saw told me she’d seen worse, prescribed tramadol and changed my meds to Ibrance and faslodex as I had a couple of new tumours in my lungs and growth in existing ones and gave me little help in dealing with it🙄 She did refer me to a surgeon who I saw in June, his attitude was very different- I had a mastectomy the following week. I can’t believe the difference! I feel so much better! I had no problem with the wound healing. Since had to change the faslodex for Letrozole (allergic)but November scans showed slight shrinkage, so things have improved greatly mentally as well as physically. Hopefully your surgeon will find a solution for you if not surgery they may help with wound care. it’s a rotten thing to deal with. Anne
Hi Anne: How long was your recovery after the surgery? I am still waiting to hear back from the surgeon but I hear great things about her. I hope they can do the surgery.
Hi June, I was only in hospital 2 nights, and was lucky enough to get most of the range of movement back in a couple of days, and wound was pretty much healed in a couple of weeks (I think the drain stayed in for a week but I gather that depends on surgeons/wounds, he took 4 lymph nodes as well) but I felt better very quickly. It took a couple of weeks to get over the tiredness, but certainly for me it was well worth it. Even if they don’t operate, they should help with wound management. Hopefully you will get your appointment soon- and some help, it’s a dreadful thing to deal with, sending you a big hug. Anne
Thanks again. Great information. Not that we are all the same but it gives me an idea of what to expect. That sounds like a great recovery. I might take a bit longer given my age. I hope I find out today, if surgery is possible or at least get a consultation date. Your info is so appreciated.
oh thanks so much Anne. It is so good to hear of some hope, even though we are all different . I hope that works for me also. Other then the MBC i am in pretty good health at 79 years.
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