Hello Ladies, have just joined you all, we are a special bunch! I have a question on implant recon and RT. I had a Mx and immediate recon with a temporary expandable implant back in June. The idea was to replace it with the perm one as soon as inflation was complete. However it turns out I needed RT which wasn’t originally in the plan but they found quite a bit more tumour in the removed breast. My surgeon says had he known I would need the RT would have done things differently?? I have just finished the 25 sessions of RT and still have the expandable implant in.am hoping that it can now just be exchanged for the perm one in a few months. Has anyone else gone this route of recon, it seems I. Can’t find much info on RT with implants in place other than its not recomended, which is a bit late for me.
A x
Hi Tanguy
I am sure your fellow users will be along with support and shared experiences soon, in addition our helpliners are on hand with practical and emotional support for you. Lines are open 9-5 weekdays and 10-2 Sat on 0808 800 6000 so please feel free to call
Take care
Lucy BCC
Tanguy,
My BS takes a different view. i had a tissue expander fitted during MX operation in February, in the knowledge that I would be having rads after chemo. The expander was two thirds filled during the operation and I haven’t had any further saline added since (my choice). Two weeks ago to provide the best symmetry and for piece of mind, I had a MX to the other side with an expander, so am currently getting over the surgery.
I had fifteen rad treatments completed 8weeks ago without any apparent effects on the tissue expander, and based on his experience my surgeon feels that negative effects can be over stated. Hope that this helps.
Jude
Hi
I had left mastectomy with immediate saline implant reconstruction and right side reduction.
Unfortunately my tumour in the left breast was so near to the skin so they could not get a clear margin so I have been given two options.
The first is to have radiotherapy after my chemo or further surgery with skin taken from my back.
What a decision!
If I chose the radiotherapy then I have been told that I will have a reduced dose over 5 weeks instead of 4 weeks and the radiotherapy will be targeted to just that affected area and not the full breast. Some type of cover will be used to protect my implant.
If I have surgery it means more scars and quite honestly I have enough due to having an ANC prior to reconstruction.
My surgeon advised that both methods are safe and should remove any pesky cells that may be there.
Not really happy about either but so scared Radiotherapy will affect my implant and cause nasty Se’s
Would appreciate any advice regarding radiotherapy with implant.
Thanks Janey xxxxxxx