No mammogram on reconstructed breast???

momofcuig · April 2011

I just went for my first mammogram since my breast cancer diagnosis in April 2010 and to my surprise I was told I would only have mammo on my 'good breast 'not my reconstructed breast. I had a mastectomy with reconstruction with the Latisssimus Dorsi flap.

When I questioned the person doing my mammogram I was told that I didn't need one because all the breast tissue had been removed.

Now that is fair to say but what about the cancer cells that may have been left behind??? I know when they removed my breast the surgeon said there were cancer cells very close to my chest wall. How will that be monitored?

Unfortunately, I saw my breast surgeon prior to my mammogram and he was not available after so I have come here for answers.

Can anyone explain if this is correct or should I follow up with the breast surgeon? Perhaps an ultrasound of that breast?

AnnetteS · April 2011

I had a bmx in October and was told no mammograms in my future. However, with skin sparing surgery, which I had, there is still a small amount of breast tissue left because it is attached to the skin. My BS says that after my exchange surgery, I will have breast MRIs instead of mammograms. I'm fine with that, I was having mammograms every six months and they never caught the cancer that was hidden in my calcifications until I had a second cancer in my other breast.

So, you might want to inquire about an MRI on your reconstructed breast....

vmudrow · April 2011

I had PBMX, with silicone inserts. My BS said that I need to see her every year for an examination, and to do self examinations, because the small amount of breast tissue left behind would be close to the surface and it would be easy to feel if it turned to something. Maybe that's the case with you? Let us know what the doctor says - Valerie

TonLee · April 2011

I am in a group of patients (survivors group) with a woman who had Tram three years ago. She was told no mammos on that side as well. No scans of any sort on that side unless she has symptoms. She didn't like that answer...and it wasn't something she was told before she made her decision to have a TRAM.

She's 3 years from surgery and never been scanned on the reconstruction side, but had 3 mammos on the other.

momofcuig · April 2011

Ladies, your replies have been so enlightening! Thank you! So much to ask the breast surgeon. TonLee I was never told about no mammo either. That is why I was so surprised at my first anniversary mammo! Obviously i will do self exams but what if I miss something??

Valerie, I will absolutely let you know what the doc says. It is easter weekend so I wont get any answers till next week. I understand what you are saying about the breast tissue being close to the surface but I was told my IDC was close to my chest wall. That worries me.

Annette, thank you for the suggestion of mri. I will suggest it!!

ck55 · April 2011

I had a DIEP on my right side Oct 2009 and when I went for my annual mammogram they wanted to do one on my reconstruted breast. I refused at the time because I had just had some fat grafting done to fill in some hollow areas and didn't want it getting flattened out before it had a chance to settle in. They agreed but said that next year they would do both.

When I had my next appt with my BS I asked her about mammograms on reconstructed breasts and she said that yes I would need to have them done along with my real breast.

This kind of surprised me because I had always heard/thought that one of the arguments for having a BMX (which I decided against) was that it would mean no more mammos or MRI's. I guess I was wrong?!

Cyndi

OneBadBoob · April 2011

Well, my experience has been mammo on right breast, ultrasound on reconstructed left breast and right breast every six months, and MRI on both breasts annually..

Had TRAM on left breast in 2007.

I have LE on the reconstructed breast, so radiologist agreed, after a little discussion, no need to "compress" it, just do the ultra-sound every six months and yearly MRI.

And my breast surgeon think MRI's on both breasts only need to be done every two years.

So, how do you choose? I choose not to "smosh" my LE breast, period. And MRI every two years on both breasts.

momofcuig · April 2011

Thank you again ladies for keeping up with this post. My Doc was off for Easter so just waiting to hear back from him.

I agree with not 'smooshing' my boob either. MRI or Ultrasound would seem reasonable.

But shouldn't there be some standard of care that everyone uses?????

momofcuig · May 2011

Hello Ladies,

Well I finally heard back from my breast surgeon and he suggested MRI on my reconstructed breast. A little dissapointed that I had to find out I needed an MRI 3 weeks after I originally had my 1 year follow up appointment with him. When was he going to tell me I needed an MRI if I hadn't asked???

Anyway, thank you all for your help.

angeljoy · May 2011

Hi Ladies,

Do you ladies who had recon with implants have mammograms? MRI's? I had a BMX with recon with gummy implants, but had to have the implant on the cancer side removed due to complications. No need to mammo that side since there's nothing there LOL and the couple of times they wanted to check something out on that side they used ultrasound. But on the non-cancer, prophylactic MX side with the remaining implant my doc did one mammo "as a baseline" when my treatment was over, but says I don't need them any more. I self-examine, but not sure how I feel about no mammos or anything since I know there could still be a small amount of breast tissue there. Have any of you implant ladies received other recommendations?

Thanks,

Angela

vmudrow · May 2011

angeljoy - I didn't have cancer but had PBMX with silicone implants. Doctor told me no mammos, no MRIs, just self examinations and once a year examination by her - that if anything was there it would be close to the surface and easily felt. What about everyone else?

Anonymous · May 2011

Ladies

I did know in advance. My BS discussed with me when I was reviewing options. I had a BMX in March and am in the reconstruction with TE now. I was told that I would have a MRI every two years and bi annual visits to the BS for an exam. She suggested that I schedule my annual gyno exam in between so that another physician exam could be done also.

elmcity69 · May 2011

I have had mammos on reconstructed breasts - i was worried about it, but it was fine. no worse than before. my surgeon is adamant, although my onc less so (i think, however, that my onc is more easygoing and won't stress me out - he feels annual PET and MRI is ok)..anyway, i went for the MRI as well.

IllinoisNancy · May 2011

Hi,

Why would you want to get a mammogram after reconstruction? My BS said I won't ever have them again. Also, everyone says that you don't need scans until you have symptoms so why get them every year. The survival is supposed to be the same for women who find out it has spread early or late. I think scan anxiety is horrible. If I every heal from my BLMX and reconstruction, I don't want any scans or MRI's. My BS found my recurrence by a physcial examination after the mammogram said I was clear. I keep hearing all kinds of different ways people follow up after BC. I think peace and not seeing doctors is better for my health. Just my opinion.

Nancy

agada · July 2011

I think I found the rcorrect forum. I had DCIS and now have gummy implants. I am having some problems with them and now they want me to have a mamo today and an ultra sound. The Dr. said the place he is sending me to is used to doing mamos on implants. Does this sound right? Is this normal if you are having some possible encapsulation problems on a breast? (second time) Now I am very nervous about the procedures. If you keep getting encapsulations do they remove the implants completely?

Agada

Moderators · August 2011

Hi all,

You may find some information helpful on the main Breastcancer.og site, on the Mammograms after Different Types of Breast Surgery page. There is good information on mammograms after breast reconstruction.

Hope this helps!

--The Mods

D4Hope · August 2011

Well... my surgeon told me they don't usually do mammos after reconstruction. I am choosing to do so. I did find a lump close to the surface a few months back and thankfully it was just fatty tissue.

I check my breasts often, but I think the choice should be mine whether or not to have a mammo. I am being cautious. It's no big deal to get the mammo done every year, and it gives peace of mind to those with tumors close to the chest wall.

Annabella58 · August 2011

I was told too much risk of rupture if the tech is not experienced.

Get an MRI for this.

No mammogram on reconstructed breast???

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