Home → Treatment & Side Effects → Planning Your Treatment → Ask-the-Expert Conferences: Treatment Issues → May 2008: After Surgery: Short-term and Long-term Effects → Suggestions for treating keloids?

Suggestions for treating keloids?

Page last modified on: August 21, 2008

Question from Kathy: One year ago I had a mastectomy. I'm still experiencing many symptoms as discussed here, but wonder if you might have any suggestions for treating keloids?: Answer —Kristin Brill, M.D., F.A.C.S.: Keloid is bulky scar formation. A true keloid is a bulky, nodular scar that forms over months to years and can commonly form on the upper body, trunk, neck and back in those that tend to form keloids. Many women will consider hypotrophic scar (which is thickened scar) to be a keloid, when truly it is just a thicker than average scar. For women who know that they tend to form thicker scars, consultation with a plastic surgeon ahead of surgery can be helpful to modify techniques such as type of suture used, the possibility of injecting the scar with steroids post-operatively, or some topical agents to prevent scar thickening before it occurs. It's worth investigating these options for women who form hypertrophic scars or true keloids, as they can be the source of chronic pain and itch long-term.

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.

A production of LiveWorld, Inc.
Copyright 2010. All rights reserved.

Was this resource helpful?

Yes No

Thank you for your input!

Email Updates

Stay informed about current research, online events, and more.

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.