Mastectomy years past radiation

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hello, Im Lola and new here!

I am a 52­ year ­old working artist and single solo mother, with a significant medical history of three separate cancer diagnoses, each a decade apart.

In 2006 (age 31), I was diagnosed with Stage IIB Hodgkin lymphoma after presenting with fevers, night sweats, and cervical lymphadenopathy. I underwent treatment with the ABVD chemotherapy regimen. No radiation. Successfully in remission.

In 2015, (age 40) I was diagnosed with Stage I invasive lobular carcinoma of the right breast following evaluation of a palpable right axillary mass. Diagnostic imaging identified a suspicious lesion, and an excisional biopsy confirmed a 7 mm invasive lobular carcinoma that was estrogen receptor­positive, progesterone receptor­positive, and HER2­negative. I subsequently underwent breast surgery, including reexcision and sentinel lymph node biopsy, at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.

In April 2026 (age 52)  I was diagnosed with ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), underwent a lumpectomy with clear margins and am now considering a bilateral mastectomy. The surgeons I've seen at MSK have advised nipple sparing is not an option. This has been difficult and caused me to pause. I saw a third op at Weill Cornell and they said somewhat the opposite (i can do nipple sparing) and gave me more options.

My decision is to do a mastectomy but the questions is what path of mastectomy to do , Diep flap , implant or hybrid., considering I had radiation on my right breast, which apparently has increased chances of certain complications such as capsular contraction, etc. 

I would really value thoughts or experiences, particularly related to mastectomy after having radiation ( my radiation was 10 years prior) and nipple sparing and methods with best results.

  • Hi Lola

    The best thing would be to copy your post into The Breast Cancer Forum Just click the link I made.

    I have a friend who had a similar decision to make. She had a mastectomy and radiotherapy with an implant which went rock solid with contraction. She then had to wait a long time before she had her Diep flap. She has nipple tattoos which look incredibly lifelike. She is pleased wth the final result.

    Dani 

    Base of tongue cancer. T2N0M0 6 weeks Radiotherapy finished January 2019

    Macmillan Support Line -  0808 808 00 00 7 days a week between 8am-8pm

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