The two main types of breast reconstruction available to most mastectomy patients are saline breast implants and muscle flap reconstruction. Implant surgery usually requires placing a tissue expander in the intended breast area beneath the skin and chest muscle until the skin is sufficiently stretched before a permanent implant may be placed. Muscle flap reconstruction involves using a patient's own tissue to rebuild the contour of the breast. Tissue may be taken from the back, stomach, or buttocks. Capsular contracture may be treated with additional surgery to remove the scar tissue.
Radiation therapy uses high-energy rays to stop breast cancer cells from growing and dividing.
Ionizing radiation deposits energy in the area being treated that injures cancer cells by damaging genetic material and inhibiting growth. Although radiation damages both cancer cells and normal cells, normal cells are usually able to repair themselves and function properly after radiation. Radiation is usually started several weeks after lumpectomy, allowing ample time for the breast to heal. If the woman is also having chemotherapy as part of treatment, the physician will sometimes begin chemotherapy prior to starting radiation therapy. Common side effects of radiation therapy such as breast soreness, swelling, reddening of the breast skin, a feeling of heaviness in the breast, fatigue, and loss of appetite usually go away within four to six weeks after radiation begins.