Breast Cancer Wound Care

[cbski]

Need advice/suggestions on how to treat axilla ulcerations that have resulted from breast cancer. These ulcers are draining and are difficult to treat due to the location. Any ideas on which dressings are best and how to secure them? Thanks in advance!

[oldiebutgoodie, RN]

Need advice/suggestions on how to treat axilla ulcerations that have resulted from breast cancer. These ulcers are draining and are difficult to treat due to the location. Any ideas on which dressings are best and how to secure them? Thanks in advance!

It depends on what the wounds are from. Are these radiation burns? Surgical wounds from lymph node resection? Fungating tumors? (I hope not).

Mepilex Lite foam is a wonderful product that conforms to the skin, can be tucked under the axilla. If too much drainage, could use a regular Mepilex foam tucked under. They have a gentle adhesive that will adhere to the skin, but should not be traumatic to take off.

Other options would be Mepilex Transfer, tuck under armpit. This allows drainage to come through, and then regular dry gauze underneath.

Securement can be challenging. May try a leotard sort of top with short sleeves to keep the dressings in place.

If these are radiation burns, I recommend an ointment called Miaderm, seems to work well.

http://www.miaderm.com/

Good luck,

Oldiebutgoodie

[caroladybelle, BSN, RN]

Is there odor?

Metrogel or a dressing with metrodonozole on it can help with odor.