Radiotherapy after implant reconstruction

Has anybody had radiotherapy after reconstruction with implants? And if so, what were the main side effects? Have you had to have corrective surgery?
I’ve been told to consider radiotherapy after cancer was found in the sentinel lymph node (no cancer found in other nodes) during surgery.

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Welcome to the forum . I’m sure there are others on the forum who’ve had radiotherapy with implants . Hopefully someone will be along soon to comment
.Radiotherapy can have a pretty good impact on your risk of re-occurrence so please consider it when you have all the info .

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Hi, I was in the same boat. I had RT (15 shots) about three months after surgery and an expander fitted. The main issues during and after RT:
My breast felt hot and swollen from early on and got quite uncomfortable to sleep on that side without my heart-shaped pillow, which I positioned around it to add comfort and support.
Initially my skin didn’t react, but about two weeks after treatment I found blisters on the scar tissue near the clavicle. I had used Aveeno daily on the whole breast and Factor 50 if I was outside for any length of time. I contacted my breast cancer nurse about the blisters and was able to pick up a tube of Flaminal Hydro, which helped.
Otherwise, by the third week, I felt the effects on my energy levels and did take it easier and rested more. I wasn’t tired enough to miss out on going to a local music festival, or socialising for a few hours on a Sunday.
Occasionally I left my bra off in the evening for comfort, as recommended by the radiographer. That was more or less it.
Good luck, I hope it goes well for you.
All the best.

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Thanks so much for responding, it sounds like the RT itself didn’t have much impact on the implant itself or appearance. Pleased to hear you were able to keep up social activities through such a difficult time too. I hope everything is going well now.

Hi,

Can I ask if RT had any effect on the cosmetic appearance of the expander? I have been told I’ll need RT and I am 3 weeks post mastectomy with expander implant. I’m worried it’s going to change the way it looks and the skin around it. Right now I am happy with the appearance so really wanted to avoid RT.

Thanks

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Radiotherapy can cause capsular contracture of the implant (I had a silicon implant). If I recall, it can happen in 20 to 30% of patients (double check with your plastic surgeon). Sometimes it can be painful and cause deformation of the breast. In my case, I saw some cosmetic changes so I think i do have some contracture but it’s still ok. If this gets worst or painful, I would need to change the implant. I didn’t know this side effect could happen but anyway, I would still have opted for radiotherapy as it can prevent recurrence.

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Unfortunately my expander was affected. It doesn’t look too different to me but my surgeon noticed, and it pretty uncomfortable after RT. It was quite swollen, tight and hot to touch. Also my scar tissue blistered, also painful.
I had a follow up appointment and some of the saline drained out in the end. Which provided some relief.
I’m having a replacement implant later this year.

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@k-runner it sounds like I’m in similar position to you - did you have radiotherapy in the end? If so, hope it went well and did you have any issues with your implant? :slight_smile:

I didn’t opt for RT in the end after considering all the data and research available for both RT and the other adjuvant (preventative) treatment I was going to have so I moved straight on to that. Every individual case is different though, you just need to make sure you ask all the right questions of your medical team on the best options for you, your circumstances, and what’s going to give you the best chances of prevention. Always good to get second medical opinions too if needed.

It’s such a difficult decision to make when the onus is put on you and there isn’t a right/wrong answer but you’ve got to make sure you’re comfortable with your decision so you can move forward. Wishing you the best of luck with it all.

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Sorry it’s taken me a while to log in @k-runner - thank you for sharing. After A LOT of thought I also decided not to have radiotherapy. The oncologist gave me more answers I’d asked for and felt it was reasonable not to have it. Instead we’ve also moved on to my 10 years of hormone therapy. It definitely was a difficult decision however making it was a relief and I do feel it was the right choice for me in this situation. Thanks again for sharing your story and your good wishes. X

Good to read all of these messages and very reassuring. I had my mastectomy and instant silicone reconstruction at the end of June. Now halfway through my radiotherapy. I was really hoping that there wouldn’t be too much damage to the implant. It’s quite twingey at the moment and the skin feels hot and tight - but then it was still tight before treatment started. Still getting the feeling of a wire from a bra stabbing me in my chest but other ladies have also reassured me that they either have this or that the feeling has eased.
Thank you ladies - you’re my saviours