Breast Reduction: Stories

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Was Breast Cancer Radiation the Cause of Massive Scar Tisssue After Breast Reduction?

Suzy2u
posted 3 years ago
updated 3 years ago

Not Sure
Cost: $6,000
Royal Oak, MI

I had a breast reduction in 2007 which was done 4...

26 Sep 2009

I had a breast reduction in 2007 which was done 4 weeks after breast cancer. On the left side where the cancer was my breast has slowly produced a large mass of scar tissue and has made this breast a great deal smaller than the other.

My doctor reformed surgery again (present) to remove the scar tissue and again reduce the size of the right. I now have scar tissue along the entire bottom of the left breast which continues all the way under my arm!!! The nipple on my left breast is also about 2 inches lower than the right? When I had the breast cancer I did not need any chemo nor were any lymph nodes invaded. I endured 1 week of rediation treatments twice a day.

There was massive scar tissue and was told it would subside. After 2 years it has gotten worse and the corrective surgery was even more worse.

I originally did it because I had pain in my shoulders (ddd cup size). I love the look of my right breast but can the left ever be made to look right?

My doctor is blaming the radiation for everything that has gone wrong. Tell me...is my doctor correct about this or should I see an new doctor?

Great review?

Comments (2)

dbaczewski1 4 May 2013

I was diagnosed with early stage breast cancer in 2007. Had a lumpectomy and radition. I became a 5-year cancer survivor in October, 2012. In November, radiation-damaged scarred tissue became irritated and erupted and I had to have surgery to remove it. Due to the damage to the skin and tissue, I am currently working with a wound care nurse. I am told this happens very rarely so I am having a hard time locating information on this condition. Can anyone tell me if there is a web site that addresses this issue? Thanks.

Samir Shureih, MD 27 Nov 2009

I agree with your doctor. Radiation injury can be significant and can cause deformity of the breast which is progressive. It is not inusual to have multiple surgical procedures on the opposite breast to try to achieve symmetry, which can be very difficult. Recent obsevations have shown that fat transfer to the radiated breast can reverse some of the changes as a result of radiation. The theory here is that with fat transfere there is stem cell transfer that correct these changes.

View answers from Samir Shureih, MD