Re-Rads to the same side? Reconst after rads?

BethL

I have just been diagnosed with cancer again 10 years after my first diagnosis on the same side. Ten years ago it was DCIS with minimally invasive IDC and treated with segmental mastectomy and mammosite radiation. I had a ductal excision a month ago due to nipple discharge that was bloody and it turned out IDC 7mm. My onc has ordered a MRI to check the breast for any other cancer and has reached out to the radiation oncologist who treated me 10 years ago to see if reirradiation is an option (assuming no cancer seen on MRI), I understand it usually is not. He said it is since I had partial radiation.

My other option is of course mastectomy. I don't really know what to do and Im not sure I even trust the MRI since I had one in February that did not pick up this cancer. I have a lot of hardened areas in my breast from the previous treatment and I can't help but to wonder what else is lurking in there.

How successful is it to have reconstruction after a mastectomy after previous radiation? Two weeks after my ductal excision I ended up with an infection that put me in the hospital for IV antibiotics. The incision has a small opening and I was told it may be because it was a radiated breast and would take longer to heal. If that's the case, I'm worried about future surgeries.

I had 2 nodes removed with the surgery 10 years ago that were negative. Should I expect them to remove more for testing? Or is that even possible?

Thanks so much, its so hard to research this and get information that isn't completely depressing. Would rather hear from those who have gone through this.

Beth

bevin

HI Beth

I am so sorry you are having to deal with this again. I don't have any input as I don't have knowledge of this, but I know others with experience will be by soon to give you some input. Praying all goes well.

KBeee

Beth, I am going through radiation now and my PS is worried about how it will impact my implant. If there is too much damage, they usually do flap surgeries (such as DIEP). I am very thin though, so I am not a good candidate for those.

BethL

I wondered the same thing. I had an implant placed in this side 2 years ago. Honestly, it needs replacing because either it has ruptured or this last surgery involved a lot of tissue. The size difference is huge. Not sure how radiation affects implants, haven't researched it yet (surprisingly-Ive been doing nothing but lately). Are you doing whole breast radiation or partial?