Is It Good to Have Reconstrution Breast Surgery After Radiation Therapy?

Both of my breast had radiation thearpy due to breast cancer. I'm going to have a biliteral mastectomy with immediate breast reconstruction (DIEP) with skin sparing. Is this a good thing to do with radiated skin? I had my !st radiation in April of 2001 right breast, and the left breast in March 2011. I suffer with Lymphedema in both arms due to lymph nodes removal, and how will that affect the breast reconstriction and me afterwards? Will the swelling in my arms get worse? Please help!!! 3rd time breast cancer survivor. Thank you very much, Ms. shon don

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DIEP timing

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7 Doctor Answers | Asked by shon don in Longbeach

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Yes you can have DIEP flaps after radiation therapy

By undergoing completion mastectomies and radiation therapy our ususal recommendation would be to use your own tissue in the form of DIEP flaps. The flaps usually fair extremely well. the radiated skin and fat that remain from each breast are referred to as the mastectomy flaps. It is these areas where I have seen the issues that develop. Typically these are small areas that take longer to heal.

Breast reconstrution following radiation

Breast reconstruction may be performed following radiation. Typically, we perform flap reconstruction (ie diep flap) in this setting.

Use your own tissue for breast reconstruction after radiation - DIEP

It is great that you are a survivor and can be considered for reconstruction. Your previous radiation therapy is a risk factor for reconstruction but it doesn't mean that you can't have reconstruction. It does mean that implant based reconstruction is probably not a good option without the use of bringing in some of your own healthy tissue from your tummy or your back. The DIEP may very well be the best option for you and is reliable in experience hands. Make... more

Breast reconstruction after radiation

I am grateful that you are a 3 time breast cancer survivor. I am sure your doctors want to give you all the quality of life they can as well and have offerred the reconstruction for that purpose. For this reason, though, the last thing you need is a complication after breast reconstruction. I have done a substantial amount of reconstruction and without examining you, these are just general comments, but you are in no way a "good" candidate for reconstruction.... more

Is It Good to Have Reconstrution Breast Surgery After Radiation Therapy?

I believe your question s are very hard to explain via the internet. You should discuss these issues in person with the radiation doc, your PS, your oncologist, and GS. There are increased risks in radiated tissue and lymphedema in arms that you need to fully understand. Best of luck.

Breast Reconstruction after Radiation

The most important consideration in your case is complete removal of the cancer. You do not have to have a breast reconstruction if you are either reluctant or feel you are being pushed into it. Breast Reconstruction ia a complex topic and volumes have been written on it. In general, the reconstructive surgery should be delayed after the radiatin was completed to prevent major complications. A DIEP flap is a very elegant way to reconstruct the breast especially in a setting of... more

Breast reconstruction after radiation treatments

Your question about options for breast reconstruction after radiation treatments for breast cancer is a good one. Breast reconstruction after radiation can be done, and I believe the best option is to have fat grafting for reconstruction. The fat grafts can help to reverse the radiation damage. This is probably because fat grafts have many stem cells in them.