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Expanders and Radiation

asked 1 year ago by DJM 1934 in Columbus, OH
Latest answer by Loren Schechter, MD
Question viewed 506 times
Tags: expander, mastectomy, radiation

I had double masectomy Sept 29 and expanders at same time. Have had much pain with right expander and must have 30 radiation treatments after chemo is finished. Radiation therapist now says expanders should never have been put in when radiation is going to be needed. The left tumor was 7cm and right 3.5cm. What should I do?

8 answers to Expanders and Radiation

+2

Radiation and expanders

Your current situation is not rare.  If radiation is not anticipated at the time of mastectomy, expanders can be placed.  An experienced radiation oncologist should be able to radiate with an expander present.  If there is an issue, your plastic surgeon can deflate the expander prior to radiation.  However, not that you are undergoing radiation, I highly recommend you talk to your board certified palstic surgeon about replacing the expander with your own body's tissue... more
Samer W. Cabbabe, MD

Saint Louis Plastic Surgeon
+2

Expanders and radiation

It is not written in stone, but as a rule, expanders are not particularly recommended in the presence of radiation.  I would avoid further surgery for 6-12 months following your radiation treatment and then consider replacing the expanders with your own tissue (commonly from the back or the abdomen). This sort of treatment is often long and may require several operations.  This forum is no replacement for a face to face consultation with a plastic surgeon who you can trust to... more
Jonathan J Staiano, MBBS

Birmingham Plastic Surgeon
+1

Breast reconstruction and radiation

In certain instances, tissue expanders may be placed at the time of mastectomy for women who will be undergoing post-mastectomy radiation therapy. Although the expanders may be removed and replaced with a woman's own tissue (abdomen-diep flap, thighs-tug flap, buttocks-sgap, back-latissimus or tap flap).
Loren Schechter, MD

Chicago Plastic Surgeon
+1

Expanders prior to radiation

Expanders are put placed in your breasts even if you are going to receive radiation postoperatively. THe expander acts as a spacer and prevents your breasts from contracting during the radiation period.
Arian Mowlavi, MD

Laguna Beach Plastic Surgeon
+1

Radiation and tissue expanders for breast reconstruction

The short answer is you might be OK especially if Alloderm was used when the expanders were put in since this seems to have a protective effect against capsular contracture, which is the risk with radiation and implants. Wait and see before deciding.
Richard Baxter, MD

Seattle Plastic Surgeon
+1

Placement of Tissue Expanders and Radiation therapy.

It is not wrong to place a temporary tissue expander implant should you need postoperative radiation therapy.  All of my radiation oncologists (trained from our nation's top tertiary care cancer centers) feel comfortable providing radiation therapy when there is an implant in place.  In some cases, depending on the tumor location and chest wall anatomy, we may take volume out of the tissue expander implant to facilitate radiation therapy.  On even a more rarer occasion, a... more
C. Bob Basu, MD

Houston Plastic Surgeon

www.basuplasticsurgery.com

+1

Expanders and radiation

Radiation can cause problems with tissues that are going to be expanded. It often impairs the reconstruction because of the radiation injury.  If this happens, other treatment options are available including pedicled flaps like a latissimu dorsi and implant, a TRAM or even a  DIEP.
Steven Wallach, MD

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon
+1

Breast Reconstruction

Cosult your breast surgeon, plastic surgeon radiation oncologist, and ALL of them must talk to each other and make a recommendation that best fits your case. All your doctors should communicate with each other to reach a plan of treatment. That is how cancer should be approached. You need to take charge of your medical care and have trust in your team, otherwise seek a second opinion from all the specialties involved.
Samir Shureih, MD

Baltimore Plastic Surgeon

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