Successful surgical management of chronic bilateral encapsulated seroma after node-negative breast cancer: A Case Report

Background: Chronic encapsulated seroma following breast cancer surgery is a rare entity, and management is challenging. We present clinical and pathologic findings in a patient with extensive history of bilateral refractory breast seroma successfully treated with capsulectomy. Case presentation: A 71-year-old woman with previous early BRCA2 associated, node-negative breast cancer, developed late onset seroma following endocrine therapy, unilateral breast-conserving surgery, and completion of adjuvant radiotherapy. Non-simultaneous bilateral mastectomy was later performed to treat infection and reduce risk of contralateral breast cancer. Each surgery was followed by chronic seroma. After six years of ineffective treatment attempts with repeated aspirations, the patient successfully underwent bilateral capsulectomy. She remains seroma-free nine months from time of capsulectomy. Conclusion: This is the first report of late onset bilateral encapsulated breast seroma following mastectomy without axillary dissection. When managing breast seroma refractory to conventional treatment encapsulated seroma and prompt capsulectomy should be considered.