Women after radiation for breast cancer often develop wounds. These are nonhealing wounds. The wounds tend to be very leathery and white and one can see that does not much blood supply to the tissue. The wounds tend to be quite chronic. Women end up spending many weeks and months and years getting dressing changes to try to heal these areas and they do not heal. They sometimes tend to get secondarily infected and are treated with antibiotics for weeks and months and years. Radiation wounds can be corrected and should be corrected. You do not need to live with this radiation wound the rest of your life. These radiation wounds can be corrected. Various flaps can be utilized to bring tissue into the area that is not radiated the tendons to heal this area. These operations are relatively simple and safe and often are very satisfying to women who have been living for weeks to months or years with the radiation wound. If you have the radiation wound of your chest or breast from radiation therapy for your cancer you should seek the attention of a reconstructive surgeon or come to see Dr. Jacobsen. You can also send a picture of your wound to Dr. Jacobsen as well.