RT after autologous (own tissue) reconstruction anyone??

Nolton9

Hi girls,

Another few months in and I find myself on another board! Hoping for some useful, been-there-done-and- it- was-actually-OK advice from anyone who is able to help, please.

I had a SSM (skin sparing mastectomy) and immediate DIEP reconstruction, in April 2014. Unfortunately I have just also had a WLE to remove residual disease and some "left in" glandular tissue in the anterior (below-skin) of my breast. Now recommended, of course, to have RT as an 'insurance' for the rest of the breast and as a mop-up in the area of residual disease

Has anyone else been through RT after a autologous reconstruction?

Did your breast harden, shrink, change shape etc.

Was it temporary change or for good/ long-term?

What precautions/creams did you use?

Were you able to keep working through the course? I read, as with all of this, very mixed views. mopstly that you get a it grumpy toward the end - well tbh noone will notice I am already v v furious due to this latest twist x grumpy!

I now understand (hindsight is such a good thing - as is doing your own research!) that some of the Breast Units are as a matter of course including post-mastectomy radiotherapy after DCIS, particularly over a large area. Due to building knowledge that this architecture can often be multi-focal and more wide-spread and hard to fully image. But clearly that is for the 'treating' hospital to make the call.

Has anyone had this as a next step after reconstruction?

thanks all, in advance.