Forum Discussion
Radiotherapy after skin-sparing mastectomy & diep-flap-reconstruction?
Has anyone had radiotherapy done after their skin-sparing mastectomy & diep-flap reconstruction? Did it cause any issues with the breast flap? like hardening or shrinking?
I had no lymph node involvement and had clear margins. It was decided in a team meeting with radio oncologist for me to have 5 weeks of radiation on the flap, due to younger age, size of lump (ILC-5cm) - although it was 2 bits lumped together into one and grade 2, pathology of the sample found focal-vascular-space-invasion, which hadn't spread anywhere outside the breast, but radio oncologist thought it could spread to lymph nodes in the future. Does this warrant radiation?
I am on zoladex and ai.
I have an appointment with the surgeon to discuss further but wanted to see if anyone has any suggestions or similar experience?
1 Reply
Hi I had DIEP flap reconstruction after double mastectomy .
The size of my tumour (6cm) meant my team thought I would be likely to need radiation and my plastic surgeon said in that case I would need to wait at least 6 months after the end of radiotherapy for the DIEP flap reconstruction.
I had tissue expanders inserted after the skin sparing mastectomy.
My plastic surgeon was very experienced and I followed his advice.
I had 28 sessions of radiotherapy .I was very happy with my results.
The cancer breast had a few hard lumpy bits initially butthey went away over time and the breasts are soft now.
Ask to join the private group on here “ Choosing breast Reconstruction” there are lots of stories and photos on there.
