Reconstruction and Radiation

implant
Hi Lorrie, I am also new to the board, my diagnosis is similar to yours but the way its being handled is completely different. I have/had breast cancer in both breasts and in the lymph nodes. I belong to a group of doctors who each have a different specialty; one is an oncologist, one is plastics and reconstruction, one is oncology surgeon and the last is a radiation specialist. My series of treatment went like this...I felt a lump in my breast and went my regular gyno, who referred me to an ultrasound, who refferred me to the oncologist. after receiving a pet scan with dye I started chemotherapy once every 3 weeks for 12 weeks, The next step was another pet scan. It showed a clean bill of health, me oncologist however was not satisfied and told me that if I did not have a mastectomy he almost gaurantees that the cancer will be back within 5 years. so I had a double masectomy. (including the lymph nodes) I am waiting for the drains to come out before starting radiation which will be every day for 7 weeks, then I will rest for a few weeks and go to the plastics and get prepared and go through the expander surgery. He will not put the expanders in until I am done with everything else. They all agree that nothing should interfere with the radiation, or the silicone!
Good Luck,
Marilyn

Expanders in before radiation
I had surgery first (april 2010)... double mastectomy, with expanders put in place.
Then I had chemo(through Aug 2010)... then radiation (through Oct 2010).
I have already been through the expansion and the replacement of the expanders(Jan 2011) with the implants.
The radiated side is tighter than the unradiated side.
However, the process went smoothly and I really did not have any problems.
My next step is nipple reconstruction and hopefully I will be done with this process. I am happy with the results.

Everyone reacts differently to surgery and radiation with regard to scarring, capsular contraction... etc. I'm sure your doctors took all of these things into consideration when coming up with your plan.

lmr001 said:

Expanders in before radiation
I had surgery first (april 2010)... double mastectomy, with expanders put in place.
Then I had chemo(through Aug 2010)... then radiation (through Oct 2010).
I have already been through the expansion and the replacement of the expanders(Jan 2011) with the implants.
The radiated side is tighter than the unradiated side.
However, the process went smoothly and I really did not have any problems.
My next step is nipple reconstruction and hopefully I will be done with this process. I am happy with the results.

Everyone reacts differently to surgery and radiation with regard to scarring, capsular contraction... etc. I'm sure your doctors took all of these things into consideration when coming up with your plan.

Welcome to that site Lorrie!
Welcome to that site Lorrie! Sorry though you had to come here. You will find lots of help, support and encouragement.


Good luck to you!


Jan

Hi Lorrie
and welcome to the board. I had bilateral mastectomy (6.1 cm lobular in right breast and LCIS in left. No lymph node involvement.) in June 2010. My surgeon did not recommend reconstruction until after I knew if I was to have rads. I ended up having 6 rounds of chemo and 28 rads. I did however talk with a PS before mastectomy to find out my options. Since I'm 62 I have put off any reconstruction at this time. I have prosthesis and am ok with that.
{{hugs}} Char

jendrey said:

...
I had a mastectomy and a tissue expander was placed at the same time. Had chemo and radiation therapy, then finally exchange surgery for implant. The radiation caused some skin shrinking and seemed to reduce the size altogether.

This shrinkage is something I'd suggest you keep an eye on and if it happens be sure to make a big deal out of it with your plastic surgeon because it IS a big deal. As your PS can inflate more if need be after rads as that's what my PS once told me.

I didn't say much about it as I assumed the doctor would see the obvious and know..I'm not very happy with the results since one breast is noticably smaller than the other. Although, I think the size of the actual implant has more to do with it than anything else. My PS has been on maternity leave since January so I haven't even been able to address my situation with her or anyone else for that matter.

The implant is much softer and seems more comfortable than the expander and certainly is in a much better position.


It seems IMO that doctors are reluctant to do any reconstruction after radiation treatment so you are fortunate that at least one of your doctors had this presence of mind regarding timing/placement of your tissue expanders!

I had a skin conserving
I had a skin conserving mastectomy and immediate silicone implant. The other side has to be tweaked & lifted to match the new one. I guess if it goes bad from radiation, I will have a new implant put in at same time as lift.....needless to say...I like my larger saggy, "real breast" the best!