Breast Reconstruction after lumpectomy w/ radiation

There was a recent article that stated a finding that we, as surgeons, and patients know to be true.  Patients who have a lumpectomy or a partial mastectomy, followed by radiation have a 20% loss of volume in that breast in a year.  This is not including the breast tissue that was removed and the volume lost is 26% over five years. 

I believe that Breast reconstruction after a Mastectomy (or removal of the entire breast) is a concept that more people are familiar with compared to Breast Reconstruction after a Lumpectomy with Radiation.  

However, Breast Reconstruction after a Lumpectomy and Radiation is also an insurance covered benefit and sometimes can just involve a balancing or matching procedure such as reducing the unaffected breast because of the size reduction in the cancer breast.

I think that this unevenness in the breasts that patients have to live with does not get enough attention and I hope this note serves as a reminder to patients that may have experienced this, that symmetric breasts after treatment for any type of breast cancer is generally a covered benefit from the insurance companies.  

There may be some circumstances where due to breast size, a better cosmetic outcome may be achieved with a Mastectomy compared Lumpectomy and Radiation.  This is a good question to ask your Plastic Surgeon when undergoing reconstructive surgery for breast cancer.

Dr. Jason T. Hedrick