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.
2 Likes
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 .
1 Like
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.
1 Like
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
1 Like
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.
2 Likes
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.
1 Like
@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? 
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.
1 Like
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
Hi @irenko, I’m nearly 3 weeks post implant reconstruction and was told yesterday that I need to have radiotherapy. I just wondered how you have been since completing radiotherapy and whether your implant has been affected from it? I understand all the risks but would be good to hear from someone what their experience has been.
TIA xx
Hi @vixter
So sorry it has taken me a while to reply - got an infection in my boob which think was triggered by some cording massage. It never ends does it!!!
I had my implant at the end of June and when I was told in September that I needed radiotherapy I was very concerned. The doctor noted all of that and said that there is of course a risk of fybrosis but the lymphs that needed zapping could not be removed surgically, so I really didn’t have much of a choice.
The one thing that I have been doing is hyperbaric oxygen therapy as it is supposedly really good for tissue repair. And I’ve been taking Co-enzyme Q10 pills which are good for cell repair. I don’t know if any of them have any effect but what I do know is that other than getting this dratted infection, I had started to feel really really well. I finished my radotherapy at the end of October. So far my implant feels fine. I have my follow up with my surgeon at the beginning of Feb so he will probably tell me more.
Not sure if any of this helps - it’s a really tough choice isn’t it?
Keep in touch and let me know what you decide xxxx
Hi @irenko
I really appreciate you replying and sorry to hear you have an infection. I hope it clears up soon for you! 
I was told before surgery that I may need radiotherapy but my oncologist wanted to wait on the pathology results to make the decision. I knew there is a risk of capsular contracture with RT but my surgeon wanted me to have a skin-sparing mastectomy. I’m so pleased with the outcome of surgery and know I made the right decision to have immediate reconstruction.
Before chemo I had a large area of around 10cm of DCIS plus an 14mm lesion in my left breast. My pathology results showed no sign of cancer in my breast tissue or axillary node but because of the DCIS being so large and a couple of mammary nodes showing up on my original CT (don’t actually know if this was indeed cancer) they want to do RT to eradicate anything lurking. I’m meeting with my oncologist on 12th to discuss further.
That’s really interesting about the hyperbaric oxygen therapy. I’ll have to investigate if there is somewhere near to me that does this. I have read about Co-Q10 being good with taking tamoxifen which I will be starting shortly. I’ve got it on my list of supplements to ask my oncologist about.
It’s reassuring to know your implant is ok following RT and I hope it stays that way! I want to do everything I can to give myself the best chance of it not coming back.
I’ll keep you posted on what happens.
Best wishes
Vixter xxx