Plastic or Metal Port on Expander?

SonofaSurvivor · 03-01-2007, 12:19 PM

Hello all, I am a SonofaSurvivor (optimistically, of course). My mom was first diagnosed 2 months ago (Her2 positive) and is having a masectomy in 2 weeks. She is to have a expander put in. We have read about the difference of metal vs plastic ports used via breastcancer.org. We are not sure if she will have radiation or not until post surgery. Is it true plastic is preferred if radiation is to occur? The PS said he never even heard of plastic! And was just going to use metal...now he says maybe can use a special stainless steel? Anyone have better information and what questions to bring up?

Thanks all!

PatS · 03-01-2007, 04:14 PM

I had an expander in when I had radiation, but I'm not sure what the port was made of. The plastic surgeon used a magnet to find it when he did the fills though, so I would assume it was some sort of metal.

Pat

SonofaSurvivor · 03-01-2007, 04:21 PM

Did you have any skin irritations from radiation? That is the concern I have read, how metal and radiation do not go well together and can cause skin problems around the port area.

sassy · 03-01-2007, 04:41 PM

If she is having a single mast, the port would be placed on the other side. I had a left mast and my port was placed on the right side. It is metal and I have never had any problems with it.

Good Luck
________
Beauty_Blonde cam

SonofaSurvivor · 03-01-2007, 04:45 PM

Yes single Mast. Hmm I don't understand, what does this mean from breastcancer.org?

"
Metal and radiation don't mix!

If you have an expander put in and there is any chance you will have radiation therapy, be sure your surgeon uses an expander with a plastic port, not a metal one. A metal port interacts with the radiation right around the metal and produces excessive, unnecessary skin damage. If you already have an expander with a metal port, ask the plastic surgeon about possibilities that include:"

PatS · 03-02-2007, 03:51 PM

I didn't have any problems with radiation and my expander port. My skin got a little pink, but it wasn't anything to do with the port.

Maybe your mother could get a referral to a radiation onc. so she could discuss this with him/her. They've probably encountered this before and would be able to give you some answers.

Pat