DIEP Post Masectomy Radiotherapy (PMRT) Experiences Please?

Hi Mickey. Totally understand why you’d be worried. I hope she doesn’t mind but I’ve tagged Exraygirl as she may well be able to help advise with this, I hope you don’t mind exraygirl xx

Thank you Anna12345, really appreciated that you’ve done that for me and from your hospital bed . What a Star ️ you are. Love n hugs Mickey xx️

Hi

I don’t have much personal experience of RT after diep but I know there have been a few research papers published over the last 5 years which have said that there can be complications with wound healing and shrinkage of the reconstructed breast after radiotherapy but having said that the figures are not very different from the groups that just had reconstruction.Hardening of the capsule occurs more in implants.

I think you need a discussion with your oncologist about the late effects of radiotherapy to your reconstruction and if they do occur ( and they may not) what if anything can be done to rectify them.

As a radiographer we would only see the short term skin reactions and when the patients finished we wouldn’t see them again….so I’ve not seen long term effects myself.The effects tend to be seen 1 to 2 years after treatment.

Wishing you all the best x

No problem….not sure I can help much though!
Hope you are feeling better x

Thank you so much for taking the time to reply  with what you know. I really appreciate it. I’m just curious what causes late effects 1-2 years after finishing radiotherapy generally? 
Many thanks Mickey xx️

It’s all to do with effects on dna

Radiotherapy can cause a loss of elasticity or fibrosis.

I must stress though that treatments have improved vastly over the last 10 years with new equipment ,techniques and imaging so side effects are much rarer.

x

Thanks for explaining, helps me think about what to ask the Oncologist - really appreciated again. Mickey xx️