Autologous Breast Augmentation After Lumpectomy and Radiation Therapy

The treatment of breast cancer usually involves surgery. The two main options for surgical treatment are mastectomy, which removes the entire breast, or lumpectomy, which removes the tumor while leaving the rest of the breast behind.

Mastectomy is typically followed by reconstruction, a surgical procedure to replace the breast. Lumpectomy is usually followed by radiation therapy. In the months and years following lumpectomy and radiation therapy, many patients will begin to notice a difference in the size and shape of the affected breast. The affected breast will typically be smaller due to the removal of tissue and the shrinking effects of radiation. The affected breast may also be misshapen or deformed.

The resultant asymmetry can be problematic. To correct this issue, either or both breasts can be adjusted surgically. The unaffected normal breast can be reduced, and/or the affected breast can be augmented or reconstructed. If the deformity in the affected breast is significant, it may require a more extensive reconstruction procedure.

It is important to note that, as mandated by federal law, all surgery related to breast cancer is covered by insurance, even many years after the cancer was treated. This includes procedures for symmetry on the non-cancer side.

Options for correcting or augmenting the affected breasts include using an implant or the patient’s own body tissue. Placing an implant into an irradiated area poses various potential problems, making it less recommended for augmentation in such cases. Using an implant also has limited value in correcting deformities after lumpectomy.

Autologous breast augmentation or reconstruction, which involves using the patient’s own body tissue, offers many long-term advantages. This method can effectively augment the breast or correct deformities caused by radiation and lumpectomy. Autologous breast augmentation and reconstruction, when necessary, is the most effective way to naturally enhance breast size and shape for a permanent result.

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Implants can exacerbate issues in irradiated tissue due to several key factors.

Radiation therapy damages the cellular structure of the skin and underlying tissues, leading to fibrosis, reduced elasticity, and decreased blood flow.

When implants are placed in such compromised tissue, they can face several complications. The irradiated skin is often less able to stretch and adapt to the presence of a foreign object, which can lead to issues like implant displacement, encapsulation, or even rupture.

Additionally, the reduced blood supply in irradiated areas means the tissue around the implant may struggle to heal properly, increasing the risk of infection or poor integration.

In contrast, autologous methods use the patient’s own tissue, which naturally integrates with the surrounding area and supports better healing.

This tissue comes with its own blood supply and adapts more effectively to changes, reducing the likelihood of complications compared to implants.