1 year after breast cancer reconstruction, boob is red and itchy.

Question

My mom had breast cancer may 2015, mascetomy June 2015, reconstructive surgery November 2015 and then December got an infection, was put in the hospital for 3 days for iv fluids. Her boob is red from the middle towards the bottom. No fever, but itchy. This has been a couple days now. I left a message for PS office to get in the am.

Joel M. Stewart, Jr., MD · Answer

Well, it certainly needs to be evaluated.

It could be something simple like dermatitis of the breast from a garment or a change in soap or washing powder. Or it could be as serious as an infection.

Without evaluation by your plastic surgeon, it is difficult sometimes to determine the difference between the two.

I would get in to see your surgeon as soon as possible.

Steven Wallach, MD · Answer

A red breast may be an indication that you have an infection.  Best to see your surgeon to determine what might be going on.

Ali Sadeghi, MD, FACS · Answer

Hi and Thanks for your question. Sorry for your mom having to go through this. Even without fever, this may be an infection that needs to be addressed by a board certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon.

Good Luck

Good Luck

Vinod V. Pathy, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for your inquiry.  It sounds like your mother has had a rather difficult postoperative course following her mastectomy.  It is difficult for me to render an opinion without knowing your mother's reconstruction history and specifically what her breast currently looks like.  A face to face evaluation is necessary to recommend an appropriate course of action.  I would advise you to continue to try to contact your mother's plastic surgeon to make them aware of her current situation.  Even if it is "after hours" or the weekend, the vast majority of surgeons have an answering service capable of contacting her surgeon or a covering surgeon who can then return a call to you.    If all else fails and you cannot get in touch with her surgeon, a trip to the emergency room for evaluation should be considered.  Best of luck to your mother and you.

Anthony J. Taglienti, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question. I am sorry to hear your mom is having a hard time with this. It sounds like she is having a recurrent infection. There are other potentials, depending on what was performed - if she had implant reconstruction, there is a chance that implant may be infected; if she had alloderm or something similar placed at the time of her implant reconstruction, there is a chance that she may be having a slight reaction to that. Her best bet is to see her Plastic Surgeon in person for additional guidance. Best of luck!

Robert Whitfield, MD · Answer

It sounds like a problem similar to what she had in December.  It most like will require another visit to her Plastic Surgeon and the hospital.  I am sorry she is having this trouble.

1 year after breast cancer reconstruction, boob is red and itchy.

Answers (6)

More Breast Reconstruction Questions

When is it really safe to fly after mastectomy/reconstruction?

C cup before mastectomy. I was hoping to return to at least that size after reconstruction. (photos)

How different in size will I look with 760cc after mastectomy vs a normal breast augmentation patient of my size and height?

WE SEND PRETTY
EMAILS