Breast Reconstruction: Q&A
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Breast Reconstruction After Radiation?
I have undergone the first stage of breast reconstruction after a double mastectomy. I will be getting the expanders removed in 2 weeks with implants replacing them. I am hoping for a full C. The doc said he will be putting 415 cc's. Is this a full C? I am 5'2" weigh 135lbs. Also, following the surgery I will have 5 weeks of radiation on the left breast. I would like to know everything I need to know to offer me the best results for the radiated side.
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13 Doctor Answers |
Asked by
hhwt2e
in Windsor, Ontario, Canada
+6
Radiation and Breast Reconstruction
You ask an excellent question. There is some controvery on how to approach breast reconstruction when radiation therapy (XRT) is required. Radiation therapy is excellent in helping you reduce your risk for recurrence. This is the most important thing. As I tell my patients, radiation is excellent at killing microscopic cancer cells. However, radiation does "fry" the non cancer normal tissue as well. Radiated tissue will never be the same.
Although some notable studies...
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+3
Breast Reconstruction after radiation and what to do to decrease complications
Reconstruction of the breast tissue after medical radiation is challenging problem. It sounds like your expansion part has been completed and now your surgeon is planning on putting permanent implants which will be exposed radiation. Traditionally it is recommended to use own tissue in addition to implants, if necessary, in patients with exposure to medical radiation.
Lately, many surgeons use expansion and implants even in cases of radiation. The muscle flaps are usually...
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+2
Radiating the implant pocket causes contracture
The management of breast cancer with radiation causes a lot of concerns when an implant is in the field of radiation. There is a high risk of capsular contracture in implants that have been radiated or are in an area that has been radiated. It sounds like your implant size is appropriate but the radiation may give you some problems.
Best Wishes.
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415 cc breast implants should be about a C cup
Given your size 415cc implants should end up with you being a C cup. This will depend a bit upon how thick your mastectomy flaps are. Also the fact that you will require radiation could effect your final result. Patients that get radiation have a higher incidence of capsular contracture or firmness around there implants. This sometimes can require further surgery to adjust the implant pocket.
Your surgeon will be an excellent source of information in this regard.
Good luck with your...
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+1
Breast Reconstruction After Radiation
Unfortunately, Radiation therapy and implants don't work well together, although some reports out of Memorial/Sloan-Kettering show that radiation once the implants are in place is better tolerated than if one receives radiation to the tissue expander and then trys to put in the implants. I don't think there is anything you can do personally to guarantee a good result. Your radiation therapist will give you instructions on how to care for your skin during the therapy and I believe...
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+1
Breast reconstruction after radiation
Mastectomies are performed to remove all of the breast tissue, including your tumor. Lumpectomies remove only the tumor and a small amount of surrounding normal breast tissue. Lumpectomies are always followed by radiation to eradicate any residual cancer cells. The surgical oncologist often recommends one of these two options to the patient, but sometimes either option is available.
After mastectomy, breast reconstruction may be performed in...
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+1
Diep flap
Breast reconstruction following mastectomy with post-mastectomy radiation can present a challenge. In general, plastic surgeons prefer to use a woman's own tissue when reconstructing a radiated breast. In this case, the tummy (or abdominal donor site) may be a good option. Using advanced microsurgical techniques referred to as the DIEP flap (deep inferior epigastric artery flap) extra skin and fatty tissue from the lower abdomen can be transferred to the breast. ...
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Chicago Plastic Surgeon
+1
Radiation and Breast Reconstruction
Radiation can cause multiple problems in reconstruction of a breast after mastectomy. The skin is often firm and lack flexibility to be expanded and may result in problems with infection, displacement and extrusion of the expander or the breast implant that replaces it.
For these and other reasons, I feel that flap reconstructions, using your own tissues are superior. These techniques for breast reconstruction include TRAM flaps and free flaps, DIEP flaps among others....
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+1
Radiation and implants
Radiaton and implants often have many problems like capsular contractures and healing problems. As for the volume it is hard to predict what is best for you without an exam.
+1
Implant reconstruction and Radiation.
I would suggest that you discuss the possible risks of breast reconstrucion surgery with your plastic surgeon in detail. You may want to know that many plastic surgeons recommend that implant reconstruction be reserved for women who have not had radiation. This is because the incidence of complications after breast reconstruction with implants for women who have had radiation is extremely high. Even without radiation, the chances of needing an unplanned reoperation after implant...
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