3-rx.comCustomer Support
3-rx.com
   
HomeAbout UsFAQContactHelp
News Center
Health Centers
Medical Encyclopedia
Drugs & Medications
Diseases & Conditions
Medical Symptoms
Med. Tests & Exams
Surgery & Procedures
Injuries & Wounds
Diet & Nutrition
Special Topics



\"$alt_text\"');"); } else { echo"\"$alt_text\""; } ?>


Join our Mailing List





Syndicate

You are here : 3-RX.com > Home > Cancer - Breast Cancer -

Breast Reconstruction Advances Fix Distortions Left by Lumpectomy

Cancer • • Breast CancerMay 22, 08

Lumpectomy or breast conservation surgery is the most common type of breast cancer surgery currently performed. A benefit of the surgery is that only part of the breast is removed, but a drawback can be the resulting physical appearance of the breast, which may be disfigured, dented or uneven. A report in April’s Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery(R), the official medical journal of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), examines advances plastic surgeons have made in breast reconstruction to repair the damage left when cancer is removed.

“Although breast conservation therapies are a huge advance in the treatment of breast cancer, women are still concerned about how their breast will look after surgery,” said Sumner Slavin, MD, ASPS Member and report co-author. “Breast conservation surgery or lumpectomy can mean many things; a biopsy, partial mastectomy, wedge resection, or having a quarter of the breast taken. Women are often left with portions of their breasts removed and there are currently no implants that can address this unique cosmetic issue.”

After lumpectomy or breast conservation surgery, plastic surgeons are now approaching the challenge of misshapen breasts by immediately remodeling the breast with remaining breast tissue or tissue taken from another area of the body. The result is a more natural looking breast that is more symmetrical with the unaffected breast.

Three additional advances the report examines are nipple-sparing mastectomy, deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flaps and acellular dermis graft slings. These are options for women who require a full mastectomy and young women who opt for preventative mastectomy due to a strong family history of breast cancer.

In nipple-sparing surgery, cancerous tissue and the duct system of the breast are removed, but a pocket of skin, the nipple and areola are saved. Plastic surgeons insert either an implant or the patient’s own tissue into the pocket to recreate the breast. The result looks very similar to the patient’s original breast because the original nipple and areola are used. Nipple-sparing surgery is still somewhat controversial, but if the origin of the tumor is away from the nipple and areola, it is considered safe, according to the report.

DIEP flap surgery involves using skin and fat from the lower abdomen to recreate the breast. The muscle is left intact, eliminating potential muscle weakness in the donor area, according to the report. For patients undergoing a mastectomy, DIEP flap surgery may allow them to better resume normal activities since they have not lost muscle function in their abdomen.

Finally, the use of acellular dermis (connective tissue layer of the skin) derived from cadaver tissue allows plastic surgeons to create a new breast pocket, in patients undergoing a mastectomy, without using a tissue expander. An implant may then be inserted, creating an aesthetically pleasing breast.

“Many women don’t know the full scope of their reconstructive options or are intimidated to ask,” said Dr. Slavin. “For breast cancer patients, even though they are living through the anguish of cancer, there are reconstructive procedures that will improve their quality of life and reduce the negative long-term impact of the disease and its treatment.”

In the United States today, there are nearly 2.5 million breast cancer survivors—the largest group of cancer survivors in the country, according to Susan G. Komen for the Cure. More than 56,000 breast reconstructions were performed in 2007, according to the ASPS.

Visit http://www.plasticsurgery.org for referrals to ASPS Member Surgeons and to learn more about cosmetic and reconstructive plastic surgery.

The American Society of Plastic Surgeons is the largest organization of board-certified plastic surgeons in the world. Representing more than 6,700 physician members, the Society is recognized as a leading authority and information source on cosmetic and reconstructive plastic surgery. ASPS comprises more than 90 percent of all board-certified plastic surgeons in the United States. Founded in 1931, the Society represents physicians certified by The American Board of Plastic Surgery or The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada.

SOURCE: American Society of Plastic Surgeons

Credit: American Society of Plastic Surgeons



Print Version
Tell-a-Friend
comments powered by Disqus

RELATED ARTICLES:
  New biomarkers may influence drug design and alternative treatments of cancer, study shows
  Metabolic profiles distinguish early stage ovarian cancer with unprecedented accuracy
  Moffitt researchers develop first genetic test to predict tumor sensitivity to radiation therapy
  New drug for neuroblastoma shows promise in phase I study
  Experimental treatment sends deadly leukemia into remission
  Study could reduce unnecessary cancer screening
  UA researchers discover component of cinnamon prevents colorectal cancer in mice
  Profiling approach to enable right lung cancer treatment match
  Fat grafting technique improves results of breast augmentation
  Germline TP53 mutations in patients with early-onset colorectal cancer
  Clinical trial suggests combination therapy is best for low-grade brain tumors
  UW research shows sensor technology may help improve accuracy of clinical breast exams

 












Home | About Us | FAQ | Contact | Advertising Policy | Privacy Policy | Bookmark Site