Breast irradiation following silicone gel implants

Little information is found in the literature regarding breast irradiation in patients with reconstructed or augmented breasts. From November 1970 to October 1984, we treated ten patients with silicone gel prostheses with external radiation for recurrent disease, or as primary therapy. All patients were treated with megavoltage equipment. Technique and doses varied with the clinical situation, but generally, patients received 5000 rad in five weeks to the breast or mound with opposed tangential fields. The majority of patients had excellent cosmetic results with minimal late skin changes and no fibrosis or contracture. We conclude that, with proper surgical and radiotherapeutic techniques, good cosmetic results can be obtained in these patients, without compromising their therapy.