Home → Treatment & Side Effects → Planning Your Treatment → Ask-the-Expert Conferences: Treatment Issues → May 2008: After Surgery: Short-term and Long-term Effects → Reconstruction possible with radiation scarring?

Reconstruction possible with radiation scarring?

Page last modified on: August 20, 2008

Question from Carole: I had breast cancer in 1989, followed by lumpectomy and radiation. Got it again last year, had double mastectomy and chemo. My doctor said I'm not a good candidate for reconstruction because of the hard scar tissue on the left side that was radiated in 1989. Is that true?: Answer —Kristin Brill, M.D., F.A.C.S.: Generally, radiation changes and blood supply to the tissue and skin improves over time so that, more than 2 or 3 years out from radiation, many plastic surgeons are comfortable offering some types of reconstruction. This can vary from woman to woman, as some women develop very dense scar tissue that make reconstruction more challenging, with a higher risk of complications. I would encourage you to actually see a plastic surgeon and talk about reconstruction options because the plastic surgeon would have the insight to know what sort of reconstruction may be available to you.

On Wednesday, May 21, 2008, our Ask-the-Expert Online Conference was called After Surgery: Short-term and Long-term Effects. Kristin Brill, M.D., F.A.C.S. and Linda Miller, P.T. answered your questions about short-term and long-term side effects of breast surgery, and what you can do about them.

The materials presented in these conferences do not necessarily reflect the views of breastcancer.org. A qualified healthcare professional should be consulted before using any therapeutic product or regimen discussed. All readers should verify all information and data before employing any therapies described here.

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Meet the Experts

Kristin Brill, M.D., F.A.C.S. is a breast surgeon and clinical instructor at the Thomas Jefferson University Department of Surgery in Philadelphia, PA. She also maintains a practice in Cherry Hill, N.J. Dr. Brill is a fellow of the American College of Surgeons. In addition, she has published breast cancer research in medical journals such as Annals of Plastic Surgery and Cancer, and she has presented research at the American Society of Clinical Oncology.

Linda Miller, P.T. is the clinical director of the Breast Cancer Physical Therapy Center, LTD, a private practice serving the Philadelphia, PA and southern New Jersey areas. Linda specializes in treating post-operative complications of breast cancer surgery, including lymphedema.