Forum Discussion

CarmelS's avatar
CarmelS
Member
14 years ago

Radiation effect on implant ??

I have my planning session for radiation next week & I have yet to come across anyone who has had radiation with a silicone implant. ( I had immediate recon with implant )   The rad onc isn't placing any great emphasis on the risk of capsular contracture but it sure as hell bothers me......& I don't even think it's that it can or will happen, I think it's the fact that it may not happen for some length of time after radiation......& I would like to be able to "switch off" from breast cancer after the radiation & not be worried about something else down the track. I would really like to hear anyones experience of radiation with a silicone implant & whether or not you have had any contracture problems & what to look out for etc.

Carmel

4 Replies

  • Chris's avatar
    Chris
    Member
    14 years ago
    Hi Carmel, I am having implants put in next week after 3 months of wearing bilateral tissue expanders. I haven't required radiotherapy, but know that many women have tissue expanders put in prior to radiothapy, to try and stretch the skin. These are filled with saline, but the surrounding material is a silicone bag. As I understand it, radiotherapy is more likely to cause contractures than no radiotherapy, but we all still face that possibility of contracture at a greater rate than those with normal breasts who have implants. I have been having some laser work done on one of my breasts. Because I needed a second surgery due to a massive hematoma, I started to develop what I thought felt like a contracture. My chest muscle was constantly cramping and tight, and it felt like the implant was being lifted up. Both breasts were even before the hematoma, but now the affected one is about 2cm higher on the chest wall. The plastic surgeon was not concerned, but I was. Anyway, a trip to the physio has sorted this out very quickly. The laser was used on this muscle, (with the ok from the Plastic surgeon ). 4 sessions before Christmas has made a huge difference, and now the breast is soft and flexible. The laser breaks up scar tissue, and encourages the growth of collagen. The physio told me that in the USA they routinely use laser on women with implants who have had radiotherapy, and it has reduced the rate of contracture from about 40% down to about 5%. we are a bit slower to take on newer treatments here, but in the USA they are having great success. The treatment doesn't hurt, and the physio uses Kinesio tape after it to help with lymphatic drainage to help remove all the waste products from the treatment. I am very happy with my results with only 5 treatments, and I will be back in a flash, if I feel like my implants are getting hard. Good luck. Love Chris xx
  • sillysam83's avatar
    sillysam83
    Member
    14 years ago

    Cant help u much as I didnt have radiation but I was under the impression that the 2 dont mix well. My plastic surgeon (i have silicone implant) asked me a million times if I was having radiation and I'd reply no not the plan at this stage (as u never know what can happen) & finally 1 day I asked him why do u keep asking me about radiation, would that effect my recon? he said if my plans changed I should see him straight away and we will figure out the next step. But thats all that was ever said on the matter and my plans still havent changed... i will b interested to read what everyone else writes here! 

  • sillysam83's avatar
    sillysam83
    Member
    14 years ago

    Cant help u much as I didnt have radiation but I was under the impression that the 2 dont mix well. My plastic surgeon (i have silicone implant) asked me a million times if I was having radiation and I'd reply no not the plan at this stage (as u never know what can happen) & finally 1 day I asked him why do u keep asking me about radiation, would that effect my recon? he said if my plans changed I should see him straight away and we will figure out the next step. But thats all that was ever said on the matter and my plans still havent changed... i will b interested to read what everyone else writes here!