You may want to delay breast reconstruction until you are finished with radiation therapy. Radiation may damage your reconstruction and affect your final cosmetic result. If you require radiation, your surgeons may recommend that you use your own tissue for delayed reconstruction, either alone or with an implant. Implant-only reconstruction is not recommended, since radiation often results in implant complications, including:
Infections
Severe capsular contracture (scar tissue around the implant causes hardening of the breast)
Fluid buildup
Poor cosmetic result
If you may need radiation treatment, a tissue expander can be placed during the mastectomy to preserve the skin "pocket." It provides a breast mound while you are waiting to hear if you need radiation.
If you do not need radiation, you and your surgeon can plan the final reconstruction. If you do need radiation, the tissue expander can be left in place. However, at MD Anderson, the tissue expander must be deflated while you are receiving radiation, which usually takes 6-8 weeks. The tissue expander is then re-inflated 2 weeks after radiation is complete. A delayed reconstruction is planned with your surgeon. Not all surgeons will recommend this option because there is an increased risk of complications by having a tissue expander in place during radiation treatment.