One of the most common questions that we receive from patients in consultation, is “Can I have my breast reconstructed after a lumpectomy and radiation therapy?”. The answer to this question is “yes”. However, the degree to which breast tissue can be rearranged might be limited, but there are definitely options. Radiation tends to cause capsular contracture when an implant…
Breast cancer reconstruction can be different depending on the surgical oncology plan. Certain breast cancers depending upon the size of the tumor and the size of the breast can be treated with lumpectomy and radiation therapy. Radiation often has a positive impact on breast scars making them less apparent than the non-radiated side. Radiation may produce a small color change…
Breast cancer can often be successfully treated with lumpectomy and radiation therapy. Often as part of mastectomy or lumpectomy reconstruction patients will get either a nipple areola complex tattoo or pattern tattoo placed on the breast. Pink ribbons, vines, flowers, etc. are often excellent patterns that can be placed to complete a reconstruction or conceal incisions. The photograph demonstrates before…
Many breast cancer patients have been treated with lumpectomy and radiation therapy. In some patients, the lumpectomy defect and the whole breast radiation can cause significant changes or deformities to the breast. In the before and after photograph shown, the patient had previous right breast cancer treated with lumpectomy and radiation. The lumpectomy defect as well as the whole breast…
Breast cancer reconstruction is an area of my practice which is rewarding as we are often able to successfully treat a patient’s breast cancer effectively, yet at the same time prevent a deformity of the breast or in some cases enhance the appearance of the breast. Elite athletes who have successfully completed IronMan/IronWoman triathlons are patients who are dear to…
Radiation is a therapy that patients will receive post-lumpectomy. After the oncoplastic reconstruction of the lumpectomy defect, patients will have tattoos or stickers placed to help guide the radiation beam. Radiation therapy typically occurs 6 weeks post lumpectomy. It is important for patients to eat a high protein diet post surgery to facilitate wound healing prior to initiating radiation therapy.
