Radiation with expanders? What do I do? Help!

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MagieY
MagieY Member Posts: 2
edited June 2016 in Breast Reconstruction

Hello Everyone

I am new.. Really new to this forum. I am lost and need your help. I am all alone on this.. I dont know anyone who has go through breast cancer.

I had a double masectomy on April 28th. Initially the tests showed that my tumor was 2.2 cm but after surgery the tumor size is 5cm and I had also one positive lymph node on left side. Because of that, they did the reconstruction and placed the expanders but now I need radiation. They sent me chemo and radiation after. I will have radiation in November. I dont know how many because I guess I will find out that after my 5 month chemo treatment? .. My concern is that I have 2 expanders in place. They are already extending them. I asked my PS AND He said I can do radiation with implants but I am reading and it doesnt seem like a good idea.

What should I do? Postponed the exchange until after radiation? Have the radiation with the expanders? Is that even viable? Should I ask him to remove the expanders? I am not worried about the comestic result I am concerned about side effects and radiation working. Should I meet with a radiologist now? My radiation wont start until after 5-6 months of chemo

Please guide me!

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  • pab
    pab Member Posts: 53
    edited May 2016

    Hello! I had expanders put in place the same time as my double mastectomy. My PS filled them for awhile buy then stopped because I was going to get rad after chemo just like you. She absolutely did not want to do the implants before rad. I don't think the implant fairs well with radiation. Ask more questions. Talk to the radiation oncologist. You can see them any time. None of my team of docs thought reconstruction before radiation. You can def have your expanders in and get radiation. Just not filled all the way. Why the huge gap between chem and rad? I only had to wait a couple weeks.

    I just was filled for the final time. Waiting to get my implants July 6! Please keep us posted

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  • muska
    muska Member Posts: 1,195
    edited May 2016

    Hi Magie, in 2013, I was in exactly the same situation you are in now. I had expanders filled during chemo and had to decide what to do first - exchange surgery or radiation followed by exchange surgery. I consulted several specialists and decided on having the exchange first. Main reason: tissues don't heal well after radiation.

    I got radiation with permanent implants in and had no issues with the implants. The radiated side looks a bit smaller and perkier than the other one but it's not noticeable when I am dressed.

    I recommend you meet with RO for a consult now to discuss. Go for a second opinion if necessary. Different institutions might favor different approaches, at Sloan they prefer doing exchange first and radiate with permanent implants in.

    Feel free to PM me if you want

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  • JacksGirl
    JacksGirl Member Posts: 3
    edited June 2016

    I had radiation with the expanders in. They waited six months. Then I had the exchange surgery. My plastic surgeon said that he had had better luck with stretching the skin before radiation and not radiating the permanent implants. Hugs

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