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Wednesday, December 29, 2010 Laurie asks

Q: I was diagonosed with DCIS. Pathology report das DCIS (focal) nuclear grade 2, cribriform type. Papillary with calcification and focal central Necrosis. I am hormone positive for both types.

I am 44 yrs old. The options I was given is 1) lumpectomy with radiation or 2) full masectomy with no radiation (right breast) with option 1) Problem is I already have breast implants done about 5 yrs ago (under the muscle). My understanding is I have about a 50%+ chance of capsular contraction and also issues with scatter radiation . Which of course could mean damage to other organs and or more surgery to fix the problem with the exisiting implant option 2) quite frankly isn't sitting to well with me. I am extremely active physically/busy person. Not to mention the thought of getting sliced up and rebuilt ins't something I really want done, I have inquired about the mammo-site radiation and am getting responses as "your not old enough" and so forth (very negative reactions). I don't have much breast tissue to begin with (was a size AA BEFORE getting implants) Can you help educate me? There seems to be very little information on treating breast cancers when the patient has implants already
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Answers (2)
PJ Hamel, Health Guide
12/29/10 6:00pm

Laurie, I'm sorry to say one area we're just not very conversant with here is breast cancer treatment for women with breast implants. We're not medically trained personel; simply well-read breast cancer survivors. We do know that breastcancer.org is a great source of information, and may answer the questions you pose above. Check out their post on implants. And, of course, make sure you discuss your concerns thoroughly with your surgeon, radiation oncologist, and oncologist. Request that they put their heads together, and come up with a recommendation for you. At the end of the day, only your doctors are qualified to give you the best information possible. Good luck - PJH

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12/29/10 6:34pm

I have been on that site and probably read just about everything there.  What they are discussing is implants after cancer treatments not before.  I know I am not alone in this situation.  Breast augmentation is the most popular cosmetic surgery.  There has to be other women out there that were in the same situation that I am.

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PJ Hamel, Health Guide
12/29/10 6:46pm

I'm sure there are other women who've faced this, Laurie. The problem is finding the information. I assume you've searched thoroughly via Google. Did you see this article on breast cancer treatment treatment with implants? PJH

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12/30/10 3:29am

I don't know if this will help you or not. I just underwent a bi-lateral mastectomy and I had just gotten my implants 3 years ago, so I was not happy to lose them. Unfortunately, mine were on top of the muscle so they said that I could not do radiation with them in place. We talked about taking them out, doing a lumpectomy, then radiation and hormone therapy, but the worry of capsular contraction was too great. So I opted for the bi-lateral and am in the process of getting fills in the tissue expanders currently. I highly recommend going to a plastic surgeon that will put botox in your breast muscles as you don't have pain after the fills at all. It keeps the muscle relaxed and it does not harden nor have spasms.

However, my ps told me that had I had under the muscle implants, that he could have possibly put implants (new ones) in immediately following the mastectomy instead of the tissue expanders since you would already have a pocket with space. Depends on the size, I was a AA prior to implants and a C after. They would have been fine.

I am extremely active, 47 years old and have found that the surgery has not kept me from doing too much. I was up and taking long walks 3 days after and using the treadmill in less than a week. Good luck with everything. It's not as bad as it sounds. I was amazed at the quick recovery.

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12/30/10 5:43am

This is helpful Smile,  I have a appointment with the plastic surgeon today.  You gave me some good ideas of what to ask about. I too am a smalll C now. 

 

Probably one of my biggest fears at this point is walking around lopsided, I work in a 90 % male facility and I don't want them knowing or suspecting anything - to personal. I am a extrememly private person about my health.  We also can't afford to have me out of work for months either because of for lack of better word "vanity reasons"

 

 

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PJ Hamel, Health Guide
12/30/10 6:28am

Lori, thanks so much for your response, and for taking the time to help Laurie, whre we couldn't. Good luck to you both! PJH

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By Laurie— Last Modified: 03/18/11, First Published: 12/29/10