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Proceed with expansion after radiation?

Page last modified on: October 16, 2008
Question from Anne Marie: Post radiation, I had expanders inserted 8 weeks ago and it is just now healing on the side that was treated with radiation. Is it safe to proceed with expansion? How can I know if my tissue will hold up as the skin and muscle are stretched?
Answer —Joseph Serletti, M.D., F.A.C.S.: That's not so much your decision, but the clinical decision your plastic surgeon needs to make.

On Wednesday, May 16, 2007, the Ask-the-Expert Online Conference was called Reconstruction UpdatesJoseph Serletti, M.D. and moderator Jennifer Sabol, M.D. answered your questions about breast reconstruction.


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

Joseph M. Serletti, M.D., F.A.C.S. is professor of surgery and chief of the Division of Plastic Surgery at the University of Pennsylvania. He is a pioneer in the field of free flap autologous breast reconstruction.

Jennifer Sabol, M.D., F.A.C.S.Jennifer Sabol, M.D., F.A.C.S. is a breast surgeon who directs the newly developed Breast Care Center at Lankenau Hospital in Wynnewood, Pa. Among her many interests, Dr. Sabol spearheads several research initiatives to advance the care for women with breast cancer and improve methods of breast cancer detection and treatment.

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