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Implants After Breast Cancer and Lumpectomy

asked 2 years ago by 3700anon in st helens
Latest answer by Raj S. Ambay, MD
Question viewed 2,591 times
Tags: age 35-44, lumpectomy, radiation

i am 35 years old had lumpectomy and radiotherapy 10 years ago. 2 kids later. now would like implants. is it possible that my 'ok' breasts could end up looking worse? seen specialist, they say 50/50. would just like an honest opionion. please help

16 answers to Implants After Breast Cancer and Lumpectomy

No implants after radiation

Radiation predisposes you to many issues, the least of which is poor healing because of the decrease in blood flow. That combined with a foreign object like an implant spells disaster. I would advise you strongly against that route.

Raj S. Ambay, MD
Tampa Plastic Surgeon

Implants and the irradiated partial mastectomy defect: not good bedfellows

I would proceed cautiously with implant placement following radiation. For the patient with minimal asymmetry following partial mastectomy and radiaiton, it might be better to avoid implant reconstruction altogether. Some of the concerns include: 1. Reduced compliance of the pectoralis muscle and overlying breast. This results in a firmer breast, even without capsular contracture. 2. A tendency of the radiated breast to be less mobile, and therefore less ptotic than... more

Glynn Bolitho, PhD, MD, FACS
San Diego Plastic Surgeon

Breast implants following radiation

Breast implants can be a challenge following radiation therapy. Radiation therapy may limit the pliability of the skin and pectoralis muscle. In addition, the rate of scar tissue (known as capsular contracture) is increased in women who have undergone radiation therapy

Loren Schechter, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Implants Radiation, a Bad Combination

Breast reconstruction with implants after radiation is fraught with problems including capsule contractures resulting in firm deformed breast mounds, infection, extrusion of the implants. Sometimes implants can't be placed because the mastectomy pocket may require an expander to enlarge the space to fit an implant. For these and other reasons, I feel that flap Reconstruction, such as TRAM Flaps, free flaps, or DIEP Flaps using the patient's own tissues is a better... more

Fredrick A. Valauri, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon

www.drvalauri.com

Implants After Lumpectomy and Radiation

I generally do not recommend placement of implants after radiation because of an increased risk of scar tissue formation around you implant (also known as capsular contracture). However, if I meet a patient who understands this increased risk, I may consider placement of an implant if I think it can meet the patient's goals for reconstruction. However, if a patient opts for an implant after lumpectomy and reconstruction, she must understand the following: 1. the implant may not... more

C. Bob Basu, MD
Houston Plastic Surgeon

www.basuplasticsurgery.com

Breast Implants after Radiation

Hi there- We have achieved many successful and lovely reconstructions and augmentations for women after breast cancer treatment that included radiation. There can be no question, however, that patients like yourself will experience more complications, and will generally need more maintenance procedures over time, so be sure you are comfortable taking this on before you commit.

Armando Soto, MD
Orlando Plastic Surgeon

Depends on what your final goal

Pictures would be very helpful with your question. There is alway a potential for the outcome to be less than pleasing. Usually, women who have had lumpectomy have some kind of contour deficiency of that breast that involves the use of your own tissue to improve the contour. If you have small breast and desire an increase in size then breast augmentation would help. The implants should be placed under the muscle not to obscure your mammograms. Even after implants you may still may... more

Earl Stephenson Jr., MD, DDS
Atlanta Plastic Surgeon

BETTER is the Enemy of GOOD - Augmenting "OK" Radiated Breasts

To answer your question directly - Even if you did NOT have a history of breast cancer, lumpectomy and radiation - EVERY operation has associated complications and it is ALWAYS possible for "OK" breasts to look worse after a breast augmentation. The risk is much higher in radiated breasts. Radiation causes intense scarring through the breasts with a decrease in effective blood flow. The result are stiffer breasts which heal poorly after surgery, have a higher rate of infection and... more

Peter A. Aldea, MD
Memphis Plastic Surgeon

Breast implants and radiation

Radiation affect the skin and breast tissue. There is increased complications in implant reconstruction in radiated breasts. Therefore if your radiated, post lumpectomy breast looks good, I would recommend not using implants. If the breast is deformed then I would explore all options in reconstruction after lumpectomy and radiation.

Samir Shureih, MD
Baltimore Plastic Surgeon

Breast implants after lumpectomy and radiation

While this is usually not done, it might be possible if your oncologist clears it and if your tissues show no visible or palpable effects from the radiation. Even then, there is an increased risk of complications but with a very small conservative implant, you might get lucky. If any radiation effects are present (tanning of the skin, firmness of the tissue), I would recommend you skip this venture as a failure would be very likely and quite disappointing to you. more

Richard P. Rand, MD, FACS
Seattle Plastic Surgeon

Implants can work after breast radiation with limitations

Breast implants can be a challenge after radiation as the skin envelop can become scarred and less pliable. Firmness and capsule contracture can disappoint. Still, all radiation is not alike and some patients do indeed choose implants in reconstruction despite radiation effects. We have many satisfied patients with implant reconstruction following mastectomy and radiation and breast preservation with radiation. The long length of time, 10 years since your radiation, is a plus as the tissue... more

Peter E. Johnson, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Radiation and breast implants

Radiation is the gift that keeps on giving. While you may get away with having implants for reconstruction after radiation, there is a strong chance that they may not do well in a radiated bed. You may be better off with autologous tissue transfer.

Steven Wallach, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Implants after breast cancer and lumpectomy

This is a possible operation only after the risk/benefit ratios are discussed with you. Like the higher risk of capsular fibrosis, infection, bleeding, not a soft feel. Regards from MIAMI Dr. B

Darryl J. Blinski, MD
Miami Plastic Surgeon

Implants after radiation therapy

The main issue with breast implants after radiation therapy is capsular contracture, which is much more common in radiated tissue, at least in cases where the implants are in before the radiation. Implants are just not done very much after radiation therapy so there is less data on which to base a decision. The radiated tissue tends to be firm, and that limits the results in terms of shape and feel. One thing that you may wish to look into is acellular dermal grafts such as Strattice or... more

Richard Baxter, MD
Seattle Plastic Surgeon

Radiation and breast implants

It's hard to determine this without actually examining your tissues, as radiation can make the breast tissue much less pliable. In that case, putting an implant in may not make things look better. I suggest seeing another surgeon in your area if possible for another opinion. If you get the same answer, you may need to ask yourself if it's worth the surgery. Good luck and best wishes, /nsn.

Nina S. Naidu, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon

Implant may work depending on the radiation dmage to your tissue

All depends on the quality of the breast tissue after lumpectomy and radiation. The tissue heals different after radiation and you will have higher risk of capsular contracture.