question about reconstruction and mammograms

ohilly

Maybe someone can answer this question for me: my breast surgeon told me when you have a mastectomy, there is no breast tissue so the cancer cannot come back in that breast (I assumed that this means there is no need to mammogram the reconstructed breast). But now that I am researching reconstruction I am confused because many sites seem to say that if you have implants, it's more difficult to mammogram the breast. Why do you have to mammogram it if it's not breast tissue anymore? This may be a stupid question, but maybe someone can answer it. I would be afraid to get this type of reconstruction if it meant that I couldn't get mammograms as easily and then a recurrence could not be discovered as easily. I await your replies! ohilly

cabbott

While the threat of reoccurence of the primary breast cancer is greatly reduced with a mastectomy, there is still a chance of the cancer reoccurring. No surgeon can get every cell. They can just get the majority of the tissue. You would not normally have mammograms of someone with a mastectomy without reconstruction unless a lump was felt. Even men with breast lumps can usually be given a mammogram if necessary and the test can sometimes let the doctor know if there is a problem. Implants are done in lots of different ways. If a lump develops, it may be somewhat more difficult to detect behind an implant. But if you go to a breast clinic that has breast radiology specialists, they will take very good care of you no matter what kind of reconstruction you have had. They would know how to keep an eye on things. Besides, every woman I know that had implants replaced told me the doctor checked (surgically took samples) for cancer when the implant was replaced. You can always ask for a copy of your path reports when you have an operation. If you have a DIEP flap or another similar operation, you will not get breast cancer in the transplanted tissue. Some breast cells may still be on the chest wall, but tissue transplanted from the stomach, back or butt cannot develop breast cancer because they are neither breast tissue nor are they sites that breast cancer travels to.

ohilly

cabbott said:

While the threat of reoccurence of the primary breast cancer is greatly reduced with a mastectomy, there is still a chance of the cancer reoccurring. No surgeon can get every cell. They can just get the majority of the tissue. You would not normally have mammograms of someone with a mastectomy without reconstruction unless a lump was felt. Even men with breast lumps can usually be given a mammogram if necessary and the test can sometimes let the doctor know if there is a problem. Implants are done in lots of different ways. If a lump develops, it may be somewhat more difficult to detect behind an implant. But if you go to a breast clinic that has breast radiology specialists, they will take very good care of you no matter what kind of reconstruction you have had. They would know how to keep an eye on things. Besides, every woman I know that had implants replaced told me the doctor checked (surgically took samples) for cancer when the implant was replaced. You can always ask for a copy of your path reports when you have an operation. If you have a DIEP flap or another similar operation, you will not get breast cancer in the transplanted tissue. Some breast cells may still be on the chest wall, but tissue transplanted from the stomach, back or butt cannot develop breast cancer because they are neither breast tissue nor are they sites that breast cancer travels to.

Okay, Cabbott: this is very helpful information. I was leaning toward the implants, but now it sounds like the flap procedure is safer in terms of detecting recurrence or recurrence (in the breast) not being possible. Which procedure do you think is safer? Ohilly

survivor51

There is no sure fire answer that with a mastectomy that you won't get cancer again. They can't guarantee that every single cell was taken. That is why you take treatment afterwards. The skin is still there but the cancer usually if ever would attach to the skin. That is why you can have the sonogram and the MRI. I was told that since they took everything out on both of mine, I would not have a mammogram but would have an MRI or sonogram. The way they determine if something is changing is from the blood work. If there is a change in the blood work, they run scans to see what is going on. I had reconstruction and they used the muscle from my back. I love it!!!! Even a mammogram does not always pick up problems so that is why there are other test. That is how we found out that I had problems in the other breast. It did not show on the mammogram. Talk with your doctor and call the 1800 number. Thinking of you with all the decisions. Take Care.