Dr. Valerie Gorman knows that there are many concerns when breast cancer is on the table. Seroma, a possible side effect of breast cancer surgeries, is just one thing on a patient’s mind. Dr. Gorman took the time to update her article on seromas, “Fluid Collection After Breast Surgery – Seroma” to educate her patients and answer the most frequently asked questions on the subject. 

She discusses who is more likely to get a seroma and how these fluid collections come to be. Some risk factors for a seroma forming after surgery are a patient’s age, the amount of tissue being removed in the surgery, and any history of seromas. Dr. Gorman states that “If a woman has previously suffered from seromas following surgery, then there is an increased likelihood that she will get them again.”

Seromas themselves are the body’s attempt to fill a newly empty space where tissue has been removed by a surgical procedure, forming a sort of internal blister. The body is trying to solve a perceived problem. However, this can lead to infection or other complications. Some of these are:

“infection, which could cause the seroma to develop an abscess. An abscess will not heal itself and is only likely to increase in size and become more painful.”

Fortunately, these complications are rare, as in most cases seromas will “disappear as the fluids will slowly be reabsorbed back into the body.” Dr. Gorman discusses other treatment options in her article and will discuss them with her patients should the need for them to arrive, helping them to find the best option for them.

Dr. Valerie J. Gorman values keeping her patients informed and helping them find their best options and care plans. She specializes in surgical oncology of the breast Seroma and other surgical diseases and is certified by the American Board of Surgery. She is the Chief of Surgery and Medical Director of Surgical Services Baylor Scott and White Medical Center in Waxahachie.

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