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Breast Cancer (Expert Forum)
eczema on reconstructed breast?
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.
eczema on reconstructed breast?
by dkstar, Jun 10, 2006 12:00AM
Hi, thanks for being here. Two questions:
1. I had a skin sparing bilateral June 05 for DCIS and 7mm idc. 2 months later lost one implant on prophylactic breast due to infection. I recently put the expander back in and it was filled to 300cc during surgery. It has been two weeks. The under side of the breast has turned read and itchy around the steristrips but not under. It has appreared to ooze and scab over in spots. The skin is very tight and shinny. Can one get IBC in the opposite breast after recon? Like I said it is the prophylactic breast. Can surgery exacerbate eczema?
2. When I had my mastectomy pathology found DCIS was 1mm from skin and idc 7mm from skin. Is radiation reccomended here? I have had ACx4 and herceptin for 1 year.
Thanks
1. I had a skin sparing bilateral June 05 for DCIS and 7mm idc. 2 months later lost one implant on prophylactic breast due to infection. I recently put the expander back in and it was filled to 300cc during surgery. It has been two weeks. The under side of the breast has turned read and itchy around the steristrips but not under. It has appreared to ooze and scab over in spots. The skin is very tight and shinny. Can one get IBC in the opposite breast after recon? Like I said it is the prophylactic breast. Can surgery exacerbate eczema?
2. When I had my mastectomy pathology found DCIS was 1mm from skin and idc 7mm from skin. Is radiation reccomended here? I have had ACx4 and herceptin for 1 year.
Thanks
Doctor's Answer
by CCF-RN,MSN-JS, Jun 12, 2006 12:00AM
Dear dkstar, Skin on the breast like any other area of the body can develop skin conditions, rashes, eczema etc. Particularly under the breast where there may be moisture not alot of air circulation can tend to be more difficult to heal, you may be having some reaction to the steri strips. It is best to have this looked at by your surgeon who can assess whether all is healing as it should.
Several factors are taken into account in regards to decisions regarding post mastectomy radiation after skin-sparing surgery. These factors include size of tumor, specific tumor characteristics, stage of disease, as well as whether or not "negative" margins are acheived. It is best to discuss with your surgeon and/or a radiation oncologist regarding the risks and benefits of radiation as they apply in your specific situation.
Several factors are taken into account in regards to decisions regarding post mastectomy radiation after skin-sparing surgery. These factors include size of tumor, specific tumor characteristics, stage of disease, as well as whether or not "negative" margins are acheived. It is best to discuss with your surgeon and/or a radiation oncologist regarding the risks and benefits of radiation as they apply in your specific situation.
