Anyone with implants at diagnosis?

Options
impositive
impositive Member Posts: 629
edited June 2014 in Stage I Breast Cancer

Just curious...Ive had a lumpectomy, margins not clear so Im deciding from here where to go from here; re-excise or possible mx.  I have saline implants behind the chest muscle. They were originally placed 12 years ago, then replaced 3 years ago due to leakage.  With a skin sparing mx, would that mean my tissue is already expanded and ready for a new implant? If I just have another lumpectomy with clear margins, they are recommending rads. Im afraid my existing implant/beast wont fair so well. I guess chemo is a given...according to Onc but I cant decide on lumpectomy with rads and chemo and possible complications with my current implant or mx, no rads and chemo. Anyone have experience with BC and existing implants?

· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • Joli
    Joli Member Posts: 7
    edited December 2009

    Hi - I had saline implants (behind the muscle) for 10 years prior to my stage II diagnosis. I had radiation, no chemo. implant faired very well during rad. My rad oncologist researched studies for me/us prior to making the decision to proceed with rad & leave implant intact. Radiation is the gift that keeps on giving & so your skin may not heal well (ever!) after rad. So, if you want to keep your implants you may want to take your chances &/or have a tissue expander inserted prior to treatment. Best of luck!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • yasminv1
    yasminv1 Member Posts: 238
    edited December 2009
    I had silicone implants at diagnosis. I had skin sparing bilateral mastectomy with immediate reconstruction and I went through chemo but no dadiation. I had tissue expanders placed at mx. Depending on what size you want to be after mastectomy, the Doctor might be able to do a one step reconstruction and insert new implants at the time of your surgery. You have to keep in mind that they do take some skin with a skin sparing mastectomy. I had 400cc implants before mastectomy and my doctor was only able to fit 350cc tissue expanders in at the time of surgery.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Categories