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Breast Cancer (Expert Forum)
Implant cancelled damaged muscle~
Questions posted in the Breast Cancer Forum are answered by medical professionals from The Cleveland Clinic. Topics include Breast Biopsy, Chemotherapy, Hormone Therapy, Lumps, Lumpectomy, Lymph node dissection, Lymphedema, Mammograms, Mastectomy, Radiation Therapy, Reconstruction, Self Breast Exam, and Surgery.
Implant cancelled damaged muscle~
by sounzlike, Sep 27, 2001 12:00AM
I seem to be in a serious dilemma
I had a mastectomy and implant simultaneously - 9 days ago. When I awoke, the dr told me that the implant could not be done due to damage to the chest muscle --- It appeared weak, damaged and yellowish rubbery texture.
Needless to say I was in shock to find no implant!
I felt the plastic surgeon had given me above average hope of a very successful implant. It appears both surgeon and plastic surgeon have never encountered this before and simply closed me back up.
The consensus between my breast surgeon and plastic surgeon is that it may have been caused from radiation - since I had a lumpectomy 10 years ago with radiation and tamoxifen.
Is this type of damage common from radiation AND/OR is there any other way I could have resulted with the muscle damage - Perhaps from surgery, when I had a recurrance last Nov. resulting in a biopsy (removal of DCIS)at the same section of previous lumpectomy. The dr also removed a limpoma at the lower crease of this breast during this surgery.
I am slipping in a depression over this since I had agreed to do the mastectomy if I could have simultaneous reconstruction. I couldn't choose tummy flap since I had vertical scarring from an old surgery. The Shoulder tram flap is abhorent to me and now feel like my options have disappeared.............
It's inconceivable to me that any surgeon couldn't or didn't know of this possibility.
If one of you could be so kind as to render some thought on this mysterious damage to the chest muscle - I would be very grateful.
Thank you~
I had a mastectomy and implant simultaneously - 9 days ago. When I awoke, the dr told me that the implant could not be done due to damage to the chest muscle --- It appeared weak, damaged and yellowish rubbery texture.
Needless to say I was in shock to find no implant!
I felt the plastic surgeon had given me above average hope of a very successful implant. It appears both surgeon and plastic surgeon have never encountered this before and simply closed me back up.
The consensus between my breast surgeon and plastic surgeon is that it may have been caused from radiation - since I had a lumpectomy 10 years ago with radiation and tamoxifen.
Is this type of damage common from radiation AND/OR is there any other way I could have resulted with the muscle damage - Perhaps from surgery, when I had a recurrance last Nov. resulting in a biopsy (removal of DCIS)at the same section of previous lumpectomy. The dr also removed a limpoma at the lower crease of this breast during this surgery.
I am slipping in a depression over this since I had agreed to do the mastectomy if I could have simultaneous reconstruction. I couldn't choose tummy flap since I had vertical scarring from an old surgery. The Shoulder tram flap is abhorent to me and now feel like my options have disappeared.............
It's inconceivable to me that any surgeon couldn't or didn't know of this possibility.
If one of you could be so kind as to render some thought on this mysterious damage to the chest muscle - I would be very grateful.
Thank you~
Doctor's Answer
by CCF-RN,MSN-rf, Oct 01, 2001 12:00AM
Dear Sounzlike: Typically, we do not recommend implants in a woman who has undergone radiation therapy because the skin damage and possible muscle damage make it a poor option. In women who have had radiation therapy and desire reconstruction, we typically recommend either a TRAM flap (stomach) or a lattisimus flap (shoulder). The women who choose these options do very well.
Member Comments (2)
by sounzlike, Oct 04, 2001 12:00AM
Thank you! It appears the plastic surgeon might have anticipated this in the beginning........
