Skin Changes

There are different type of skin changes that can occur with breast radiation. These include:

1. Pigment change;
2. Change in elasticity
3. Hydration;
4. Depilation (hair loss);
5. Lymphatic flow;
6. Vascularity.

I'm not sure the time course for how long skin changes last has been carefully described, and some are likely interrelated.

Anecdotally, pigment changes usually don't last beyond a month or two but can be a permanent change, more likely persistent tanning than loss of pigment. Skin may be slightly dryer but less common that it's enough to be itchy/flaky. I suspect that make a year or two to improve but may last. A minority of women may also have fluctuating or permanent breast swelling/edema or atrophy. Fine spidery blood vessels, called telangiectasias, may show up months or years later but not that common. There are different type of skin changes that can occur with breast radiation. These include:

1. Pigment change;
2. Change in elasticity
3. Hydration;
4. Depilation (hair loss);
5. Lymphatic flow;
6. Vascularity.

I'm not sure the time course for how long skin changes last has been carefully described, and some are likely interrelated.

Anecdotally, pigment changes usually don't last beyond a month or two but can be a permanent change, more likely persistent tanning than loss of pigment. Skin may be slightly dryer but less common that it's enough to be itchy/flaky. I suspect that make a year or two to improve but may last. A minority of women may also have fluctuating or permanent breast swelling/edema or atrophy. Fine spidery blood vessels, called telangiectasias, may show up months or years later but not that common.