Radiation after silicone breast implants

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Cheerio55
Cheerio55 Member Posts: 1
edited April 2019 in Radiation Therapy - Before, During, and After

Anyone have radiation after breast implants? I haven't found much info on this, but everything I've read has had bad results. Before my mastectomy, I didn't think I'd need radiation. My pathology report shows margins all negative, but one was .25mm and my BS is recommending radiation. I'll have the exchange in the next couple of weeks and my PS recommends exchange before radiation. Any suggestions or recommendations will be greatly appreciated.

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  • Moderators
    Moderators Member Posts: 25,912
    edited April 2019

    Hi there, Cheerio55! Welcome to BCO, we hope you find support here!

    We do have members who have undergone radiation both before and after reconstruction. You might find some helpful info in our Reconstruction forum in regards to your question: https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/44

    The Mods

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  • Dani444
    Dani444 Member Posts: 522
    edited April 2019

    I had an UMX with direct to implant. We thought that I would be safe to do immediate recon because my nodes looked good on imaging. Turned out my nodes were positive. It was decided through tumor board that I could do radiation v axillary node dissection. I had 33 treatments ( chest wall, axillary nodes, subclavicular nodes, and part of the intermammary chain nodes.) My PS. followed me very closely while I was doing rads, we were both worried about implant failure. I finished rads Jan 23rd. So far so good. My implant does sit a bit higher than when I started, but I think it may be starting to drop again, fingers crossed. The only issues I have are not related to my implant, and that is some continued muscle tightness. My PS did say I might need an extra round of fat grafting due to the rads. I honestly didn’t ask her why because I am not ready for any other procedures just yet:) I wish you the best as you make this decision.

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  • DesertPup
    DesertPup Member Posts: 53
    edited April 2019

    I went straight to implants too with 30 rounds of rads about 10 weeks after by BMX. So far, just my underarm is having skin issues my breast and implant seems okay. Who knows though! LOLOL I'm finding out this whole process is a constant learning and wait and see experience. It will be many months of recovery before we know what other issues pop up and how successful the reconstruction is. Good luck!

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  • kbram
    kbram Member Posts: 185
    edited April 2019

    Mine is a long story. I had BC with double mastectomy in fall of 2008. I had chemo and aromasin for five years. No radiation. I did have tissue expanders and exchange surgery. Fast forward to fall of 2014 and I had a recurrence. I had surgery, chemo again, radiation and now on tamoxifen. It has been four years and I still have my implants. The side that was radiated is somewhat hard but not painful. My implants are now 10 years old. I will continue to live with the implants until and if I have any pain and then I will deal with them. It has been a long enough time since the radiation that I don't think I will have any problems with skin healing if I choose to replace them. Please let me know if you have any questions. I would be glad to help.

    Kathy

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  • kbram
    kbram Member Posts: 185
    edited April 2019

    Mine is a long story. I had BC with double mastectomy in fall of 2008. I had chemo and aromasin for five years. No radiation. I did have tissue expanders and exchange surgery. Fast forward to fall of 2014 and I had a recurrence. I had surgery, chemo again, radiation and now on tamoxifen. It has been four years and I still have my implants. The side that was radiated is somewhat hard but not painful. My implants are now 10 years old. I will continue to live with the implants until and if I have any pain and then I will deal with them. It has been a long enough time since the radiation that I don't think I will have any problems with skin healing if I choose to replace them. Please let me know if you have any questions. I would be glad to help.

    Kathy

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  • KBeee
    KBeee Member Posts: 5,109
    edited April 2019

    My radiated side with the implant is higher and firmer than the unradiated side with the implant. A sports bra takes care of it and no one can tell.


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