I'm working with a 34 year old mom who is nursing a 3 year old (2nd  
child; first child was also breastfed for an extended period).  She  
was diagnosed with stage two breast cancer after biopsy of a lump  
under her left arm showed malignancy.  She spoke to a surgeon, and  
they have schedule a lumpectomy for next Thursday (6 days following  
the meeting).  When he discovered she was lactating, he told her to  
wean as having milk in the ducts when he does the surgery will cause  
galactoceles to form.

My initial response to the mother is that even weaning cold turkey   
on the day of the meeting wouldn't mean that the breast would no  
longer have milk in it six days later, and to talk to the surgeon  
about risks vs. benefits (from my non-oncology perspective, removing  
the malignant tumor outweighs the risk of galactoceles).   I told her  
I'd research it, however, and get back to her as soon as I can.

However, I've talked to another LC for whom the lumpectomy/ 
galactocele connection rang a bell.  We have searched the following  
resources and haven't found anything:
Breastfeeding Answer Book
Riordan
Lawrence
Hale's Clinical Therapies book
Susan Love's Breast Book (1st edition, however)

Both Riordan and the Lactnet archives mention a connection between  
excision of an abscess (subsequently left open to drain) and the  
formation of galactoceles, but I have not been able to find anything  
on an incision that is closed on completion of the surgery.

I'm looking specifically for references, if they exist, either to  
show the mother (if there is a connection) or the surgeon (if there  
isn't).  Is anyone aware of such a connection?

I'm currently no-mail; if any responses could be sent to me directly  
I would very much appreciate it.

Thank you -

Morgan Kennedy Henderson, IBCLC

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