Radiation Treatment Effects on Silicone Implants?

asked 3 years ago by Bonniet in Atlanta, Georgia
Latest answer by Steven Wallach, MD
Question viewed 2,562 times
Tags: silicone implant

I'll be having a lumpectomy and I have concerns about the silicone implants I already have. My surgeon said that I will need radiation every 5 days for 5 to 6 weeks. How will it affect my implants? I have had the implants for almost 2 years now.

9 answers to Radiation Treatment Effects on Silicone Implants?

Capsular contracture is the risk

Your health and the treatment of your breast cancer comes first of course. However, it is good to know that there is an increased risk of capsular contracture around your implants after radiation. Only time will tell if this will happen to you. Good luck!

Richard P. Rand, MD, FACS
Seattle Plastic Surgeon

Implants and radiation

Radiation may cause a capsular contracture around your implants. This can happen when reconstructions are done in patients that have mastectomy and get RT as well.

Steven Wallach, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

You may develop contracture from radiation treatment

Hello, The implants will probably not change much from the radiation per se as they seem pretty new (2 years old.) The radiation may encourage the development of hardening (capsular contracture), however. Hopefully if this happens it will be mild.

John P. Di Saia, MD
Orange Plastic Surgeon

Can't say for sure, but you should know this

Radiation protocols have changed over the years, and are safer today than ever. However, radiation is not good for healthy tissues. The most likely risk to your implants is not the implants, but the scar tissue around the implants. Radiation will increase your risk of capsular contracture. I don't know specific percentages, but there is a fair chance that you may see this in your future. Don't fret about it. The main thing is to get healthy from the cancer. If you get a contracture, it can... more

Scott E. Kasden, MD
Dallas Plastic Surgeon

Contracture is a big risk

The radiation doesn't affect the implant per se, but it does affect the capsule, remaining breast tissue and the skin. I perform a lot of breast reconstruction as well as cosmetic augmentation and depending on your age, you may want to consider completion mastectomy with immediate implant reconstruction to avoid the radiation. At least know that it is an option. With radiation, the affects are often not immediately noticed. I have had dozens of women get through the 6 weeks of radiation... more

Robert S. Houser, DO
Columbus Plastic Surgeon

Consult with a plastic surgeon

Radiation therapy is frequently the companion to lumpectomy in treating breast cancer. It does however raise the possibility of complication with implants, most commonly capsular contracture or hardening. If this is avoided or is mild, then you may do okay. Significant patients do have on-oing problems fighting the hardness and trying to get both breast to look and feel symmetric. Although the usual instinct and political correctness is to elect conservative surgery such as lumpectomy, you... more

Robin T.W. Yuan, MD
Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

Radiation can cause capsular contracture.

To Bonniet, Hi. You are in a fairly common situation, and most women do well. First, your surgeon needs to be sure that the lumpectomy can be done without risk to the implant, and without deforming the breast. Otherwise, you should have a plastic surgeon available. After radiation, capsular contracture (tightening of the internal lining around the implant) can develop, and this causes some firmness of the implant. Slight firmness is more common, and you can live with this. If the... more

George J. Beraka, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Time will tell

I have had patients in similar situations and frankly do not recall any of them needing revision surgery. While each patient reacts differently, and while some of my patients did develop mild firmness of the breast, none of them was so severe that surgery was necessary. The radiation will not affect the implants themselves, it's the scar tissue around the impant (the capsule) and adjacent tissues that can be affected. Regardless, I would proceed with your current treatment plan and try to... more

Darrick E. Antell, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Some hardness may develop

Hello Sorry to hear about your lumpectomy and possible radiation, but it sounds like your lump was caught early. In general, radiation can lead to firmness of any tissue, whether you have implants or not. With implants in place, there is a fairly high chance that you will develop some firmness of the implant. It may have some effect on the cosmetic result, but, obviously your health demands that radiation take place. Ask both the surgeon and the radiation oncologist if there are ways to... more