I had HER2- node negative breast cancer (right side) in 2013 and had a bilateral skin & nipple sparing mastectomy followed by silicone implants. No radiation or chemo (Onco score was 17). In 2017 my cancer had returned in the lympnodes (right side) and switched to HER2+. Had chemo and full axillary disection followed by radiation - which completed in Dec. Post radiation (2018), I developed capsular contracture. Right breast is higher and very tight & painful. What are my options to correct?
Answer: Autologous breast reconstruction is a good option It is very common to get capsular contracture after radiation and implant; depending on how much volume you need for reconstruction, after implant removal, the abdominal tissue via a DIEP free flap will provide the most optimal treatment. Fat grafting is also reasonable, but will unlikely give you as much live, healthy, fat volume.
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Answer: Autologous breast reconstruction is a good option It is very common to get capsular contracture after radiation and implant; depending on how much volume you need for reconstruction, after implant removal, the abdominal tissue via a DIEP free flap will provide the most optimal treatment. Fat grafting is also reasonable, but will unlikely give you as much live, healthy, fat volume.
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October 31, 2018
Answer: What are my options to correct capsular contracture caused by radiation treatment received after a recurrence of breast cancer? Thank you for your question and I am sorry to hear about the complications you have experienced since your cancer treatment. Capsular contracture and radiation therapy have a close association, unfortunately. The good news is you have options in revision procedures that will restore the look of the breasts and give you more confidence in your body profile. In many cases, patients that have undergone radiation therapy will see better results with flap procedures than they will with implants. I encourage you to make an appointment with a board-certified plastic surgeon that has extensive experience in breast reconstruction, including a variety of flap techniques. I wish you all the best!
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October 31, 2018
Answer: What are my options to correct capsular contracture caused by radiation treatment received after a recurrence of breast cancer? Thank you for your question and I am sorry to hear about the complications you have experienced since your cancer treatment. Capsular contracture and radiation therapy have a close association, unfortunately. The good news is you have options in revision procedures that will restore the look of the breasts and give you more confidence in your body profile. In many cases, patients that have undergone radiation therapy will see better results with flap procedures than they will with implants. I encourage you to make an appointment with a board-certified plastic surgeon that has extensive experience in breast reconstruction, including a variety of flap techniques. I wish you all the best!
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June 21, 2018
Answer: Fat grafting option after capsular contracture due to radiation There is a higher chance of capsular contracture with radiated tissue, which is why many patients choose a different reconstruction path, like fat grafting. This involves replacing your implants with your own fat. It's normally done over a series of procedures, depending on how big you want your final breast size to be. Because you already have implants expanding your tissue, the implants could be swapped out and replaced with fat in your first procedure. This is a great scenario for your first procedure as the breast tissue is expanded and would better receive the transferred fat with excellent long-term survival rates.
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June 21, 2018
Answer: Fat grafting option after capsular contracture due to radiation There is a higher chance of capsular contracture with radiated tissue, which is why many patients choose a different reconstruction path, like fat grafting. This involves replacing your implants with your own fat. It's normally done over a series of procedures, depending on how big you want your final breast size to be. Because you already have implants expanding your tissue, the implants could be swapped out and replaced with fat in your first procedure. This is a great scenario for your first procedure as the breast tissue is expanded and would better receive the transferred fat with excellent long-term survival rates.
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Answer: Capsular Contracture Treatment Hello, and thank you for your question. (Keep in mind that an in-person consultation is necessary for the best advice.) The definitive treatment for capsular contracture includes (at a minimum) implant removal/exchange and total capsulectomy. The use of ADM may also be beneficial. If you decide to pursue surgery it’s very important that you find a surgeon whom you are comfortable with and trust and who evaluates you in-person and tailors an individualized treatment plan for you and your aesthetic goals. Best of luck!Matthew A. DelMauro, M.D.
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Answer: Capsular Contracture Treatment Hello, and thank you for your question. (Keep in mind that an in-person consultation is necessary for the best advice.) The definitive treatment for capsular contracture includes (at a minimum) implant removal/exchange and total capsulectomy. The use of ADM may also be beneficial. If you decide to pursue surgery it’s very important that you find a surgeon whom you are comfortable with and trust and who evaluates you in-person and tailors an individualized treatment plan for you and your aesthetic goals. Best of luck!Matthew A. DelMauro, M.D.
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September 14, 2018
Answer: Radiated breast reconstruction Your best chance to achieve favorable breast reconstruction result is to have a free flap reconstruction (DIEP or muscle-sparing free TRAM - depending on anatomy and skin requirements). Anything short of that with likely to prolong the suffering and will not deliver the superior result that you will get with microsurgery. Additional benefit is improvement of the stomach that will look similar to the one after tummy tuck. The patient however needs to be healthy to undergo this procedure and have abdomen that have not been violated by previous tummy tuck, or extensive liposuction.
Helpful
September 14, 2018
Answer: Radiated breast reconstruction Your best chance to achieve favorable breast reconstruction result is to have a free flap reconstruction (DIEP or muscle-sparing free TRAM - depending on anatomy and skin requirements). Anything short of that with likely to prolong the suffering and will not deliver the superior result that you will get with microsurgery. Additional benefit is improvement of the stomach that will look similar to the one after tummy tuck. The patient however needs to be healthy to undergo this procedure and have abdomen that have not been violated by previous tummy tuck, or extensive liposuction.
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