Lymphocele

[jim]

Anyone know what Lymphocele is?

Is it normal after RPLND?

Does it go away on its own?

I had a post chemo (4xEP) RPLND in November at Sloan and just had my first post RPLND CT scan. I believe everything is clear, but there is just some lymphocele. Wanted to know a bit more about what that is and whether it is of any concern.


Thanks.

[dadmo]

Jim:
Follow Scotts thread titled "Scott's L-RPLND Adventure". He had that same problem, I don't want to over simplify what you have but it's basicly lymphatic fluid seeping from the cut ends of the node chains. It was a real problem for Scott as you will see from the thread.

[jim]

Scott's case was prettty serious.

Are there also cases where it's no big deal and it goes away on its own?

Did anyone get some lymphocele following RPLND that did not require any acticve management--only waiting for it to go away?

The tumor removed from me was about 12cmx8cm.

Jim

[dadmo]

Scotts' was indeed an extream case. Most will clear up on there own, my only advise for you is to stay on the fat free diet, it's allows the lymph node to work less. I'm sure when Scott sees this thred he will jump in.

[Scott]

Sorry for the delayed response, I've been completely offline since Monday and am catching up...

I actually had chylous ascites rather than a lymphocele. I believe most lymphoceles clear up on their own, but a persistent lymphocele may require another surgical procedure to correct.