Breast shrinkage from rads,,,,can anyone....

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Dauphingirl
Dauphingirl Member Posts: 3
edited June 2014 in Life After Breast Cancer
speak to this. I finished radiation treatments 2 years ago an for the past 1 1/2 yrs my radiated breast keeps shrinking, does this stop or what should I expect. I want to get reconstruction surgery to make them both the same size again. Is the radiated breast able to be reconstructed after the treatments, it sure isn't the same as it once was. Any advice out there!
Thanks!
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  • Shirlann
    Shirlann Member Posts: 3,302
    edited August 2007
    Mine did not continue shrinking but it did shrink. And, it is "perkier" than the other one. It is hard to tell whether this is the axillary dissection and lumpectomy or the rads. Or all 3 things. I lost 50 pounds about 3 years ago (since gained it all back) and my BC breast practically disappeared! I was shocked. But at 72, I really don't want anything done.

    By law, in most states, they have to return you as well as they can to what you looked at before. So if this is bothering you, go for it.

    Hugs, Shirlann
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  • NancyM
    NancyM Member Posts: 289
    edited August 2007
    My rads onc told me that the breast may shrink over time, but eventually it will regain some of the softness as the radiation damage subsides (over the course of a few years, however). If you think you are having excessive problems, you might want to consult with your doctor to see if it is in the "normal" range. I did not have much shrinkage because I have lymphedema and my breast tends to swell if I don't do my massage as I should. (that might sound like a good thing, but the tissue can get infected if the lymph doesn't drain.) I hope you find that you are just fine!

    Shirlann, if your avatar is a recent photo, then I want to be just like you when I'm 72!! Shucks, even if that photo is old, I want to be as cool as you are!
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  • Aerial
    Aerial Member Posts: 194
    edited September 2007

    It's been about five years since my radiation and lumpectomy and yes, the radiated breast is smaller (maybe, a whole cup size). After some trial and error, I can choose the style of bra that will fit both breasts. The "nuked nip" (as I call it) is a little more soft and a little more "normal" now that a few years have past. My breast surgeon says it will never be quite the same as it was, no matter how much time passes. The breast is very sensitive to pressure and my last mammogram (in March '07) hurt so bad it made me winch and tear up. Ouch! Anybody else have that experience??!

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  • sharebear
    sharebear Member Posts: 332
    edited September 2007
    Something the drs. don't always tell you when you have a lumpectomy is that your radiatated breast can shrink up to 40% from the radiation. When I had my lumpectomy, the option was tram flap or lumpectomy. I went for the lumpectomy as it seemed much less invassive and I was only 32. The dr. did a wonderful job and I also had 28 nodes removed with no issues. Approximately 2 years later, I had a full C cup on the good side and a B cup on the radiated side. The PS suggested an implant for symetry. After problems with larger implants capsulizing, I ended up with a reduction on the good size and a smaller implant on the radiated size. It took 5 surgeries to get it right. Then 12 years after first diagnosis tumor in the good side. Now they are both removed and no implants but went for the tram flap. Just got tired of the implants and wanted something that was going to last forever and not have to be exchanged since now I am only 44. There is scar tissue and little twinges, nerves have been cut. Mamms are never going to be comfortable again although it does get better over time.

    Sharon
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  • nosurrender
    nosurrender Member Posts: 2,019
    edited September 2007
    Masongirl,
    I had a lumpectomy six years ago and rads. The breast did get smaller. And that was the smaller breast to begin with, the right one was always a bit larger.
    Then in Feb I was re-dx'd with a new primary and had to have a bilateral mast. I have tissue expanders now. I am able to have implants on the radiated side because I have an unbelievable surgeon and also he pioneered the use of AlloDerm which is tissue that is put in place during the surgery that actually becomes your own tissue over time and creates a sling sort of support for skin that is fragile or weak. I am going to be getting C-cup implants when I am done with chemo and my radiated side is holding up great so far. The only complication I have been having is on the non radiated side, because the tissue expander ruptured. But he replaced that and we are having a bit of a challenge with me healing because I had the surgery right in the middle of chemo.

    I can't wait to get my implants...I know it is going to look great and I will be even on both sides again for the first time in six years.
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  • dressmaker
    dressmaker Member Posts: 63
    edited September 2007
    Masongirl,
    Yes, I am way different on the bc side. The lumpectomy took 1/4 of my breast and radiation seems to have taken about that much also. I'm just not ready for any other surgery. It's been 4 years for me, my breast is still very hard from the radiation!

    Aerial
    I know what you are talking about with painful mamo's. It hurt so bad I cried. My breast turned all black and blue after it and it took a good 3 weeks for the pain to subside. I am going to be talking about alternatives with my onc at my next visit!
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