My breast sugeon told me that there is no need to do further mammogram on the my reconstructed DIEP breast because any recurrence can be identified by clinical examination.
Has anyone with DCIS experienced a recurrence on the reconstructed breast or on the same site after a mastectomy?
Hi,
I have had a diep recon and my breast surgeon said the same, they said it is very rare for a recurrance on a recon breast but it can still happen, in fact just after i was told not to worry about that happening a friend had a recurrance on her reconstruction hers was the one where they use the muscle from the back, they dealt with it fairly quickly and she is now doing very well thankfully, the surgeon said a mammogram would be no use as it is not a real breast so would not show anything up so as you say they do a clinical examination and ask you to be aware of any changes.
Love Reneexx
My reconstructed DIEP breast is also mammogramed because there is still a chance of recurrence in the remaining breast tissue.
My Onc said they won’t do a mammogram on my LD recon breast as the mammogram wont be able to see through the muscle like it can breast tissue so its physical exam only. Why don’t they standardize everything so you feel you are getting the best? I examine my recon but its so darn lumpy 4 months post surgery and bits are numb (underarm) you wonder how you would ever know!
You are right, it is not easy to examine the reconstructed breast by touching or feeling it. Part of it is lumpy or hard where the flap was folded, how can we tell that it is not recurrence. MRI scan is the option, but I was told that it is too expensive for NHS.
Kelley I am surprised to hear that your DIEP breast is mammogramed. It shows that the policy for monitoring the recurrence is different from hospital to hospital. I am sure the mammogram screening would be better than touching examination, i.e, before the recurrence manifests itself in the form of lump.
Hi
I had DIEP reconstruction in July. I found a lump in my other breast last month and had both breasts mammogramed.
Gill
Hi Gill,
Did they find anything in your other breast. I hope all is well.
My mum had a recurrence in her reconstructed breast -they used the back muscle for her one too. her recurrence was diagnosed by mammogram/ultrasound as no lump could be felt and was spotted at one of her routine check ups where both her breasts would be mammogrammed.
Vic
Hi Vic,
Thanks for the very useful info. I trust that your mum has been treated for the recurrence and hope it is not too serious. I wonder if it is the same type of cancer.
XX
Hi
I wonder if anyone has had experience of having a mastectomy performed on a reconstructed (back muscle flap) breast (in which my cancer has recurred - 18 years later! ) I notice Renee mentioned a friend who had one done, and I would appreciate it if you can tell me if the recovery period in hospital following mastectomy meant a slightly longer stay post surgery i.e. surely it is more complicated on a reconstructed breast? the reason I ask is my hospital seems to think I will only be in overnight(!) and discharged with drain in place. If 2 drains are in place, then I would have to stay in longer. Did renee’s friend have 2 drains in post op? Has anyone any info on this? It would be much appreciated! (I’m 52 by the way) My mastectomy op is due on the 6th February.
Many thanks
Robina
Hi Miss Piggy
They said it was actually a diff type of cancer (As she had mastectomy for DCIS originally which was widespread getting on for 8 years ago) and she was just very unlucky. She was treated for this a couple of years back but unfortunately she has started down the secondary road now.
My mum had the recon removed and I remember her beign in for a few days and she had 2 drains - these cleared very quickly though this time.
Vic x
Hi Robina,
My friend had a mast recon using muscle from her back and she had a rotten time of it, she was in hosp for about 5 days but had a lot of bother with infection and i think it is called a seroma.
Well about 4 months after her chemo ended she found a lump on her recon and had it removed and redone using the fat from her stomache diep method and was in hospital for about 9 days
but she got on quite fine that time and is doing well and looking lovely. As i had diep surgery she would have had 2 drains in her breast and 2 in her tum. I also had bc oct 91 and had lumpectomy, chemo and rads.
This time i had mast recon and chemo as they don,t give 2nd helping of rads on same breast, the cancer was the same both times but had widespread dcis 2nd time also.
Love Reneexx
Hi Miss Piggy
After having mammogram and ultra-sound it was discovered to be a cyst-PHEW! They drained it there and then.
Thanks for asking-hope all OK with you.
Love Gill x
Hi Gill,
What a relief!! I am so pleased for you, that it’s only a cyst.
Time to celebrate!
XXX
excellent news!
Hi Robina,
I am very sorry to hear about your recurrence. I do hope you would recover fast. Are you having any recons done again?
Best wishes and good luck
XXXx
Robina
I had a recurrence in the skin of my LD flap reconstrction and had it removed Dec 28th 07. The op was quick and I was out within 48 hours and had a New Years Party! Having a recurrence is a massive shock and is psychologically very trying: To lose my perfect reconstructon was just awful, but whilst in hospital I decided that I could not let it get me down and tried to concentrate on getting another replacement. I am now 4 weeks post op having had a replacement DIEP done on Dec 18th 08. Psychologically this has been so important for me as I feel I can now start going forward.
Miss Piggy
If you have a skin sparing masc/ reconstruction then there is a very low risk of recurrence in the remaining 1/4" tissue/skin. But, from what I could make out it is rare.
Sending you love and luck
Can I ask, how did you know that you had a recurrance in your recon breast? Just asking cos mine is so lumpy in places around the drain site and has been since the op and I have noticed a new, small lump, perfectly round about 2mm across at the top of my boob away from any scars or drain sites.
Thanks, O, x
Hi Nikpusscat,
What a fighter you are. I hope you are recovering well from your DIEP. Your positiveness would aid your recovery a great deal. What was the symptom when you noticed of your LD flap recurrence? Was it visible or was there any lump? I had DCIS and IDC, without any lump. My consultant said no mammogram would be done on the reconstructed breast as there is no breast tissue left. How can one have a preventative scanning on the reconstructed side?
Yes, I am aware that the risk of recurrence of SSM/immediate reconst. is low.
Wishing you a speedy recovery and love,
xx
Hi Miss Piggy
As far as I know, recurrences in the reconstructed breasts are always visable. I had one nodule above the site of one of my tumours that was like a raised bruised are, then the second was a nodule with surrounding skin thickening in the scar of the former nipple circle.
Although you cannot have reconstructed breasts mammoed, certainly when I had my mammos of the other breast my reconstruction was usually ultra sounded!
Hope this helps
Nikki