HELP having a Lumpectomy but I have Silicon Implants

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I am half way through my TAC Chemo and will be having a Lumpectomy earlier Feb 2012 and my Surgeon has told me that when I have Radiotherapy that this will make my implants go hard.
Is there anyone out there that has had any experience of Silicon Implants and hardening due to treatments?

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Hi Judy and welcome to the BCC forums

I am posting a link to the BCC publication ‘breast reconstruction’ which you may find helpful, there is some information about undergoing radiotherapy after reconstruction;

www2.breastcancercare.org.uk/publications/treatment-side-effects/breast-reconstruction-bcc7

In addition to the support you will soon receive here from your fellow users please feel free to call our helpline team where you can talk through your concerns with one of our team, the lines are open 9-5 weekdays and 9-2 Sat on 0808 800 6000

Best wishes
Lucy

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Sorry, I don’t. I’ve seen pictures of how rads can affect ladies who have immediate recon with all sorts of methods including implants - but not all are affected badly. Hopefully if you are affected it can be rectified later on.

Bumping to see if anyone else can help.

X

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Hi Judy

My understanding is that it isn’t the implants themselves that go hard, but that the rads cause scarring of the tissue surrounding them. This can then contract and make the breast feel very firm, distort the shape and/or cause pain - capsular contraction.

These (potential) effects vary from person to person and are progressive - it doesn’t happen overnight. I don’t know what the stats are on breast tissue + implants. I’ve had a recon where they’ve used muscle from my back wrapped round an implant and have had to have rads. My PS says that for that scenario, about 30% will need corrective surgery within 5 years. This would be to remove the old implant and scarred tissue and put a new implant in. He says that it’s not a massive op if required.
HTH
Dx

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judy4529

Why you prefered lumpectomy? My surgeon said if I give preference to lumpectomy, radiation must be followed. Up to 2 a stage can be avoided Radiation, when doing a mastectomy. I did exactly that because radiotheraphy need to do just if we have not choice to stay alive in different way. These are just my thoughts and my doctor.