Radiation on Skingrafted Breast - Experience/Feedback ???

Ellsea

I am newly diagnosed, and just received the biopsy pathology report today indicating IDC, left breast,  grade 2 ER/PR+, Her(2)-. 

I have my appt with BC Monday 17SEP2018, but am hopeful we can go the lumpectomy, radiation and hormone therapy route. My big concern is that I have about 90% of my left breast has skin grafted skin from a 3rd degree burn as a young child. Does anyone have any experience to share with how skin grafted skins tolerates radiation therapy? I am quite concerned about redness/pain/swelling. I thank you in advance for any and all feedback and have found such great information on this website. 

Blessing to everyong on this BC journey with me!

buttonsmachine

Wow! Another person kind of like me!

I had a skin graft over my chest where my right breast was - it's about 5x7 inches, so pretty big. I had skin metastasis of my BC, so that's why it was done.

Anyway, I got the skin graft, the Drs let it heal for almost two months, and then I went on to do 25 days of radiation. My skin graft peeled toward the end, and I had a couple small spots of moist desquamation, but no major problems at all. Overall it went great!

My RO was amazing and kept a close eye on me. She really knew when to push through and when to hold off. If you can, find an RO you really trust, and who has experience with skin grafts.

But don't worry - I got through it fine, and you will too!

Ellsea

Thank you so much for your feedback my  'skin graft sister'! 

You have really taken a huge weight off of me as I was so concerned about this being an issue. I am newly diagnosed so I seem to be creating endless potential risks to worry about at this stage. Knowing this cen be effectively managed by a RO is AMAZING.

I am off to make dinner now for my family with a huge smile on my face :-)

I will probably touch base again closer to my radiation treatment (((hugs)))

buttonsmachine

Ellsea, I'm glad to be able to offer some encouragement!

In the beginning I was also very concerned about radiating my skin graft - it seemed so fragile - but it really was okay. During radiation I even met other people with skin grafts, although they had different types of cancer, not breast cancer. Anyway, it seems that a skin graft with radiation is more common than I originally thought.

My best advice it to follow all the skincare recommendations diligently. The effects of radiation on the skin build up towards the end, so you want to stay ahead of it.

Please keep us posted on how you're doing, and I'm wishing you the best! ((Hugs))