Lumpectomy and XRT is a good method for breast conservation in select types of breast cancer, however once the disease is controlled, the challenges begin. Radiation affects all components of the breast, starting with the skin, the tumor bed and surrounding breast tissue. Radiation is intended to kill microscopic foci of breast cancer, however it can also cause shrinkage of the remaining breast tissue, so that the affected breast becomes "static", while the opposite side continues to age, droop, enlarge. So the problem is asymmetry, which can be corrected by reshaping the cancer side or both breasts by augmentation, lift, reduction, etc.
The big "caveat" or warning is that the affected breast will usually experience delays in wound healing, be more prone to infection and have the asymmetry recur. Not to discourage you, but external beam radiation therapy can make any reconstructive surgeon humble. Stay tuned, for the development of IORT (intraoperative radiation therapy) for tumors which conform to a specific size and single focus. Things are changing, hopefully for the better. Good luck.
