Breast reconstruction can be a life-changing decision for women who have undergone breast cancer treatment.
But how long after radiation can you have breast reconstruction? This is a very common question, and one that many patients have when they’re considering their options. In this guide, we review the aspects of How long after radiation can you have breast reconstruction, types of breast reconstruction after radiation, breast reconstruction after lumpectomy radiation, and can you have breast implants after radiation.
read on about How Long After Radiation Can You Have Breast Reconstruction. Breast Reconstruction After Radiation is Possible
How Long After Radiation Can You Have Breast Reconstruction
The good news is that it’s not as simple as one answer fits all. In fact, there are many factors that affect the timing of breast reconstruction after radiation therapy. We’ve put together this guide to help you understand what factors are involved in determining how long after radiation can you have breast reconstruction.
How long after radiation can you have breast reconstruction
Introduction
In the past, radiation therapy after breast cancer was an obstacle for patients who wanted to undergo breast reconstruction. But today in many cases, if you’ve had radiation therapy post-mastectomy and you want to have your breasts reconstructed, you can still get beautiful results. Here are some things to know about the process:
Radiation does not have to be a deterrent for undergoing breast reconstruction.
Radiation does not have to be a deterrent for undergoing breast reconstruction.
The general guideline is to wait six months after radiation before undergoing a breast reconstruction surgery, but there are many patients who have had success with undergoing their reconstructive surgery at earlier time points. It is important to discuss your specific situation with your surgeon in order to determine the optimal timing for your procedure.
Immediate reconstruction allows for the most natural appearance and symmetry possible.
Immediate reconstruction allows for the most natural appearance and symmetry possible. It allows you to regain your sense of self-confidence as soon as possible. In addition, you can be more comfortable with less pain because there is no delay in the healing process.
Latissimus dorsi flap is a great option to consider if you’ve had radiation that would preclude other types of reconstruction.
However, if you’ve had radiation that would preclude other types of breast reconstruction, the latissimus dorsi (LD) flap is a great option to consider. The LD flap uses muscle and skin from your back to create your new breast tissue. Although it requires an incision down the middle of your back, this type of surgery has many benefits:
- It allows immediate reconstruction.
- There are no implants involved in this process; all you need is a donor site on your back that can be used for several years before needing revision surgery.
- The scarring will not show under clothing because there’s no implant or pocket required for placement under the muscle or fat layer.
If you’ve undergone traditional mastectomy, immediate breast reconstruction may not be possible.
If you’ve undergone traditional mastectomy, immediate breast reconstruction may not be possible. If your doctor has recommended immediate breast reconstruction, she will likely recommend that you wait for a year or more before having reconstruction. This is because radiation therapy can affect the blood supply to parts of your body, including the skin and tissue under the skin. If not treated properly during this time period after treatment ends, it can lead to delayed healing and deformations in these areas.
If this happens with your reconstructed breasts, they may end up looking different than how they did before treatment began or as how you wanted them to look at the time of surgery.
Immediate breast reconstruction surgery involves placing an expander in the chest wall after the mastectomy
Immediate breast reconstruction surgery involves placing an expander in the chest wall after the mastectomy. An expander is essentially a balloon made of soft tissue that is placed into the chest wall. Over several months, saline is injected into this balloon to stretch out the skin and expand it to make room for your reconstructed breasts. You’ll need lots of saline injections until you reach your desired size, which will depend on how much volume you want and what type of implant you opted for (silicone or saline). During this time, a plastic surgeon will also create an implant pocket in your upper torso so that once all of those injections are done, he or she can insert your new breast implants—this is known as “implantation” surgery.
If you choose breast implants, there is always a high risk of infection and contracture if radiation has been administered in the past.
If you choose breast implants, there is always a high risk of infection and contracture if radiation has been administered in the past. Breast implants are not a good choice for women who have had radiation.
Implant-based breast reconstruction is not recommended for many women because the implant does not allow for the natural appearance of your reconstructed breasts. If you choose implants, there’s also always a high risk of infection and contracture if radiation has been administered in the past. In addition to these risks, breast implants can cause capsular contracture (the tightening up of scar tissue around an implant).
Areola tattooing can add the finishing touch to your new breasts following reconstruction or for use with breast prosthesis.
Areola tattooing can add the finishing touch to your new breasts following reconstruction or for use with breast prosthesis. Tattooing of the areola can be done at the same time as a breast reconstructive procedure, or it can be done at a later date, depending on your preference.
Areola tattooing will give you the look of having a natural coloration that complements your other cosmetic procedures.
Breast Reconstruction After Radiation is Possible
If you’re considering breast reconstruction, you should know that radiation does not need to be a deterrent. Breast reconstruction after radiation is possible and can be done immediately. This allows for the most natural appearance and symmetry possible. If immediate reconstruction is not an option for your situation, consider using a latissimus dorsi flap for your type of breast cancer treatment.
If you have had radiation that would preclude other types of reconstructions such as free flap or implant-based procedures, then latissimus dorsi flaps are an excellent option because they are readily available on both sides (unlike some other options) and there is no need to use grafts or implants as it’s all contained within one muscle group in the back (unlike some other options).
types of breast reconstruction after radiation
Radiation therapy can affect the skin and tissues of the breast, which can impact the success of breast reconstruction surgery. However, there are several types of breast reconstruction that can be used after radiation treatment. Here are some of the options:
- Implant-based reconstruction: This involves the use of a silicone or saline implant to recreate the breast. Depending on the amount of radiation the patient received, the implant may be placed under the chest muscle or on top of it.
- Autologous reconstruction: This involves using tissue from another part of the body, such as the abdomen or back, to reconstruct the breast. This can be done using a variety of techniques, such as a DIEP flap, a TRAM flap, or a latissimus dorsi flap.
- Fat grafting: This involves using liposuction to remove fat from another part of the body, such as the thighs or abdomen, and injecting it into the breast to create volume.
- Combination reconstruction: Sometimes a combination of these techniques is used to achieve the best possible outcome. For example, a tissue flap may be used to create the breast mound, and then an implant may be placed to provide additional volume.
It is important to note that each patient’s case is unique, and the type of breast reconstruction that is best for them will depend on a variety of factors, including the amount of radiation they received, the size and shape of their remaining breast tissue, and their personal preferences. A plastic surgeon who specializes in breast reconstruction can help determine the best approach for each patient.
breast reconstruction after lumpectomy radiation
Breast reconstruction after lumpectomy radiation is an option for women who have had breast-conserving surgery (lumpectomy) and radiation therapy to treat breast cancer. Lumpectomy radiation can sometimes lead to changes in breast shape and size, and breast reconstruction can help restore symmetry and improve the overall appearance of the breast.
There are several types of breast reconstruction options available after lumpectomy radiation, including:
- Implant-based reconstruction: This involves placing a breast implant under the chest muscle or remaining breast tissue to restore breast shape and size.
- Autologous tissue-based reconstruction: This involves using the patient’s own tissue, typically from the abdomen or back, to reconstruct the breast. This can be done as a flap reconstruction, where the tissue is moved to the chest and formed into a breast shape, or as a fat grafting procedure, where fat is removed from one part of the body and injected into the breast to restore volume.
- Hybrid reconstruction: This involves using a combination of implant-based and autologous tissue-based techniques to reconstruct the breast.
It’s important to note that not all women are candidates for all types of breast reconstruction. The type of reconstruction recommended will depend on various factors, including the patient’s medical history, current health, and breast size and shape.
Reconstruction after lumpectomy radiation can be more challenging than reconstruction after mastectomy, as radiation can damage the remaining breast tissue and affect the blood supply to the area. This can make the tissue more prone to complications, such as infection or delayed wound healing. It’s important to work with an experienced breast reconstruction surgeon who can help guide you through the process and minimize the risks of complications.
In general, breast reconstruction after lumpectomy radiation is typically done in stages, with the first stage being the reconstruction of the breast mound, and subsequent stages focusing on nipple reconstruction and refinement of breast shape and symmetry. The timing of reconstruction will depend on the individual patient’s situation and preferences, and may be done at the time of lumpectomy or at a later time.
can you have breast implants after radiation
ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. – Breast cancer patients who have received radiation therapy after mastectomy have more problems related to the use of implants for breast reconstruction, according to a review in the October issue of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery®, the official medical journal of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS).
Although women should be aware of these increased risks, implant-based breast reconstruction after radiation therapy is still successful in most cases, according to the paper by ASPS Member Surgeon Dr. Steven J. Kronowitz of The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston.
Breast Implants after Radiation Carry Increased Risks
Dr. Kronowitz reviews and synthesizes recent research on breast reconstruction using implants for patients receiving radiation therapy. To reduce the risk of recurrent breast cancer, increasing numbers of women are being treated with radiation therapy after mastectomy (postmastectomy radiation therapy, or PMRT). Radiation has toxic effects on tissues that can cause problems with healing.
Reconstructive surgeons agree that breast reconstruction results after radiation therapy tend to be better when the patient’s own (autologous) tissue is used. However, in some situations implants may be the preferred option for reconstruction, or the only choice. The goal of the review was to analyze the best available evidence on the use of breast implants after radiation therapy.
Dr. Kronowitz identified 19 studies, of varying quality, evaluating the results of implant-based reconstruction in patients receiving PMRT. He writes, “In general, radiation increases the risk of complications and poor aesthetic outcomes of implant-based reconstruction.”
In one of the largest studies performed to date, the risk of major complications was about 45 percent for women receiving implants with radiation therapy, compared to 24 percent in patients not exposed to radiation. Complications were more common when radiation was given before versus after implant-based reconstruction: 64 versus 58 percent.
The highest-quality study found that, among women undergoing implant reconstruction, patient satisfaction scores were lower for those receiving radiation therapy. Another study reported that women receiving implants after radiation therapy were more likely to need major corrective surgery.
Newer Techniques May Lead to Improved Results
One paper suggested that radiation-related skin damage predicted higher complication rates and poorer aesthetic outcomes after implant-based reconstruction. Some recent research indicated that the results of implant reconstruction after PMRT could be improved by the addition of autologous fat transfer-using the patient’s own fat tissue to enhance the results.
“Despite advances in reconstructive devices and materials, PMRT still appears to have an adverse impact on outcomes of implant-based breast reconstruction,” Dr. Kronowitz writes. “However,” he adds,” the majority of patients who undergo implant-based reconstruction and PMRT ultimately keep the implant-based reconstruction.” Outcomes appear better with two-stage reconstruction, where the implant is placed after PMRT, rather than immediately after mastectomy.
Autologous fat grafting and other new approaches hold promise for improving the results of implant-based reconstruction after radiation therapy for breast cancer, Dr. Kronowitz believes. “In the meantime, patients who will receive or have received radiation should be advised of the risks of implant-based breast reconstruction.” In an upcoming article, Dr. Kronowitz will review recent data on the results of autologous tissue-based breast reconstruction after radiation therapy.
Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery® is published by Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, part of Wolters Kluwer Health.
About Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
For over 75 years, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery® has been the one consistently excellent reference for every specialist who uses plastic surgery techniques or works in conjunction with a plastic surgeon. The official journal of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery® brings subscribers up-to-the-minute reports on the latest techniques and follow-up for all areas of plastic and reconstructive surgery, including breast reconstruction, experimental studies, maxillofacial reconstruction, hand and microsurgery, burn repair and cosmetic surgery, as well as news on medico-legal issues.
About ASPS
The American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) is the largest organization of board-certified plastic surgeons in the world. Representing more than 11,000 physician members worldwide, the society is recognized as a leading authority and information source on cosmetic and reconstructive plastic surgery. ASPS comprises more than 92 percent of all board-certified plastic surgeons in the United States. Founded in 1931, the society represents physicians certified by The American Board of Plastic Surgery or The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada.