Radiation needed.Is it safe to have radiation with implant in?

Rosa_Aurora184161

I found a lump in my reconstructed breast with implant after a MX. I am waiting for tests results. If cancer is back, I guess I might need to have the lump removed and radiation therapy (I didn't have radiation therapy initially). Has anyone been in this situation? 1) Did you have radiation with implant in? with expander fully filled in? Any issues with it? 2) Did you have to have implant/expander removed before having radiation therapy? 3) Could you have implant in after rads? Any issues? What are the risks of having an implant after radiation? Thanks

7of9

Hi Rosa,

I had radiation after recurrence last year with an existing silicone implant. It didn't leak to my knowledge but I am going in for replacement in 2 weeks. It got hard and tightened, moved up. Surgery, Radiation (before chemo) and chemo was Tax x 4 last spring Feb thru mid June.

Thank the Lord I did "perky" implants on both sides BLM and the other one, soft and fell a little (in place, it looks great) but not too much. My radiated side is really hard and climbed higher and higher especially post rads I'd say most notably month 6 - 15. Achy and some shooting pains and itchy as all hell. I would not be doing the surgery (my body clearly doesn't know when to stop making cells after 2 rounds of BC and I'm considered stage 3c now) but it's now like 2 - 3 inches higher than my other implant to where I notice it and other people (if looking) can notice when wearing a fitted (not even snug) shirt or lower cut blouse and bathing suit.

My plastics guy said 50/50 chance he can match the other side. 30% it will look better but not match (fine with me) and 15 - 20% it's going to be f'd up in a year or too with scar tissue forming again. I don't want to consider back flap surgery. My back is fine - it says leave me out of this! He said we can try that in a few years if this doesn't work. This should be a weeks recovery and returning to work. I feel like the last 5 1/2 yrs (since original diagnosis, cancer second time, dad died suddenly, job change) is really showing on my face. SO I'm getting a lower face/chin lift at the same time. Hell, if you're gonna be a bear be a grizzley! I hate my jowls that have formed. I'm going to be 46 the end of September and my husband is 5 yrs younger. Though his hair is getting pretty darn thin, he's still a very nice looking man and I want to feel as good about my chest and I can (I actually liked my implants after the first BC - not glad why I had them but they looked great in a suit/dress)

Best of luck to you and the radiation wasn't bad to go through at the time. I hope you don't have to do it and get good test results. If not, you'll get through it ok. Feel free to PM me if you want.

Rosa_Aurora184161

Thank you for your reply and sharing. I don't have test results yet. I hope it's nothing but obviously I'm a bit worried. Fingers crossed!