Forum Discussion

Lallaby's avatar
Lallaby
Member
7 years ago

Radiation with Implant

Hi. Just wondering is anyone has had radiation therapy with an implant in and what the experience was. I have heard that radiation can ruin the implant.

I was diagnosed with BC in November - 3 largish tumours - The recommendation was to have chemotherapy first to try and shrink the tumours and then surgery. Chemo finished 4 weeks ago (no real affect on the tumours unfortunately) - Surgery with direct implant was 9 days ago 
Pathology result showed clear margins around all tumours but there is cancer in the sentinel nodes so back for more surgery next week for auxiliary node removal.

Doctor said today that because there were multiple tumours I would definitely need radiation to the chest wall - My question is why did they say it was ok to go direct to implant when it appears now that radiation therapy is unavoidable and known before the surgery even happened. I am very worried
implants
radiation
  • kmakm's avatar
    kmakm
    Member
    7 years ago
    Hi @Lallaby. How are you doing? How did your second surgery go?
  • CarmelS's avatar
    CarmelS
    Member
    7 years ago
    I am hesitant to post & give you a bad news story, but I think I was told the stats were 1 in 3 would have trouble with contracture......of course I was the 1 !!  My problems started as soon as months after radiation. My implant migrated up towards my shoulder as the pec muscle & the scar tissue capsule shrank. I pushed myself to get to 2 years after rads before I agreed to have the implant replaced. I have had too many surgeries in the last (nearly) seven years to even remember & I still don’t have a decent outcome. Here fingers crossed that yours will go along with no problems......I can be your 1 in 3........
    Carmel
  • ChrissK's avatar
    ChrissK
    Member
    7 years ago
    Hi @Lallaby I have had radiation after DMX skin sparing with implants.  I had to have radiation (on my left) cause they found another tumor in my left breast and DCIS on my right.  Originally I had BC IDC on the left.  So far so good and this was 2 years ago.  I did have the mepitel put on which saved my skin from burning.  The left side is more firmer than the right side. But so far things seem to be doing ok.  Let me know if you have any other questions.
  • JoeyLiz's avatar
    JoeyLiz
    Member
    7 years ago
    Hi there,
    implants can be treated and it will not impact on the quality of your plan but it may mean that your implant may become harder and require replacing earlier than it would otherwise 
    make sure to ask your Rad Onc any questions
  • iserbrown's avatar
    iserbrown
    Member
    7 years ago
    @Lallaby I have just read your post and thought I would put up a comment to wish you well and to say hopefully your concerns have been allayed.  There maybe others, like me, who haven't read this yet and may have some experience to share.
    Take care
  • PatsyN's avatar
    PatsyN
    Member
    7 years ago
    I was inoperable and went straight to chemo. I was told all along that an implant would be out of the question until they saw what was left of me after radiation. As I finished rads only this week my re-construction surgeon wants me to heal properly before suggesting what would be best. His appointment is not till July. I had 2 tumors, both very large. But I have heard of people having radiation and keeping their implants.
  • primek's avatar
    primek
    Member
    7 years ago
    The area may  change a bit after radiotherapy and it might affect the implant. ..but they  could do an implant changeover surgery after you have healed. Having the implant in will keep the area open during radiotherapy and hopefully all will be fine. Changeover surgery is quite simple in most cases and might  not even need a drain, depending on if any scar tissue needs removing following radiotherapy.