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Skin and Breast Shape Changes After Radiation Treatment

asked 1 year ago by Aurum in Miami , FL
Latest answer by Steven Wallach, MD
Question viewed 561 times
Tags: 2 months post-op, brown skin, color, elasticity, lesion, mastectomy, radiation, tissue expander

Currently I undergo radiation tx after unilateral mastectomy which has been about 2 months ago. My plastic surgeon is great and satisfied with the degree of tissue expansion, but I`m still unsure what to expect.

After being in radiation for 2 weeks I noticed evident changes in skin elasticity, color and dark brown lesions on irradiated areas. What can be used to protect damaged skin except Radiagel?

Can this brown lesions go away? How it`s going to look after tissue expander is replaced?

7 answers to Skin and Breast Shape Changes After Radiation Treatment

+2

Expectations after Radiation Therapy

There are several types of radiation therapy, the type your radiation oncologist uses depends on type and location of your lesion.  The skin changes can vary greatly from person to person and from type of therapy.  Some of the changes can be permanent, such as loss of elasticity and pigment changes.  The dark spots will likely improve over time, but may not resolve completely.  After radiation therapy and replacement of the tissue expander with a permanent implant, the... more
Leif Liu Rogers, MD

Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

www.leifrogersmd.com

+2

Radiation changes in breast reconstruction.

Many changes occur to the breast skin and the underlying tissues in radiation. Changes in the skin tone, color, and texture are common. Moisturizers and breast massage can help significantly. The effects on the skin are similar to a bad sunburn, however many of the changes within the tissues are permanent. By having the expander fully filled prior to radiation, you are more likely to have a good outcome following exchange of the expander to an implant.
David Bogue, MD

Boca Raton Plastic Surgeon

www.drbogue.com

+2

Skin changes with radiation, massage can help

Radiation can damage healthy skin and cause contraction and color changes, as well as a decreased ability to heal. It is helpful that you have been expanded prior to starting radiation. I recommend massage of the breast on at least a daily basis during and and even after radiation has been completed. This can help keep the skin soft and supple. The skin will continue to change for many months, even after your radiation treatment is done. Speak with your radiation oncologist about a... more
M. Susann Bedford, MD

Atlanta Plastic Surgeon
+2

Radiation treatment and it's effects

Radiation treatment creates irreversible damage to the involved tissues.  The goal is to kill the cancer before the surrounding tissues is too much damages.  Once the tissues have become irradiated, or 'burned', they are a lot less elastic, a lot more leathery.  Wound healing potential is significantly decreased meaning that if operated on, these tissues are much more likely to become infected, to open up, or heal for a very long time.  The great thing about your... more
Martin Jugenburg, MD

Toronto Plastic Surgeon
+1

Radiation and skin changes

Skin changes can certainly develop from radiation treatment. The dark marks may or may not improve with time.
Steven Wallach, MD

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon
+1

Breast reconstruction and skin changes during radiation treatment

It is not unusual to experience the skin changes you have mentioned during radiation treatment for breast cancer - redness, darkening (Hyperpigmentation, and skin contraction. Although some of the these changes can be permanent, most of these problems will improve over 6 to12 months following the radiation treatment. If your surgeon is pleased with your tissue expansion so far that is a very good sign that you are tolerating the radiation treatment well and... more
Vincent D. Lepore, MD

San Jose Plastic Surgeon
+1

Radiation after mastectomy and reconstruction: permanent changes?

A lot of the changes with radiation are temporary, but some problems can take a long time to resolve. your own plastic surgeon can best advise you on timing for expander exchange to implant. It is a very positive sign that you are fully expanded before starting the radiation.
Richard Baxter, MD

Seattle Plastic Surgeon

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