Breast Cancer Reconstruction With Implants

Breast cancer reconstruction is an option for many women who have had to have a mastectomy. This procedure allows the surgeon to restore the shape of the breasts. This type of surgery is not necessary but many women feel it is a beneficial thing because it gives them confidence. Having the procedure performed can be safe and it can be life changing. Making the decision to go ahead with it is a big one, though.

The Use of Implants

There are many types of procedures for reconstruction. However, breast cancer reconstruction with implants is one of the most common. In this procedure, your surgeon will add devices filled with a silicone or saline solution into the wall of the chest where your breasts were located. These products are filled with a gel-like material, which gives you a natural feel and helps to create a comfortable shape for your body. The procedure is quite similar to having implants for enlarging these tissues.

Risks

As with all surgical procedures, breast cancer reconstruction procedures do have some risks. The worst of these risks involve poor healing of the wound, a rupture of the implant, deflation of the implant or protrusion of the implant through the actual tissue. However, these remain very rare. Other risks include infection, excessive bleeding, changes in the sensations in the breasts and an increased risk of needing additional surgical procedures in the future.

What Are the Results?

Having breast cancer reconstruction can help to provide a patient with a more natural body shape. However, there are risks involved in terms of the outcome of the procedure. Many times, your surgeon will work with you ahead of the procedure to create a plan of action. He or she will discuss size, shape and other implications that could affect the outcome. Generally, though, this procedure can do numerous things to enhance your body.

- It can help to give your body more contour in this area.

- It helps you to avoid the need for any external prosthesis to make a masectomy unnoticeable.

- It can help to improve the symmetry in your breasts so they look more natural under your clothing.

- It can boost your own body image and give you the confidence you deserve.

- It can also help to reduce the physical reminders of your fight against this deadly disease.

Breast cancer reconstruction is something to talk to a cosmetic surgeon about before you disregard it. For many women, it can give them back the same feel and sensations they used to have. They can feel better about themselves and about the way clothing fits on their bodies. For many, this is a very empowering experience.

A breast cancer reconstruction surgery can help you maintain your natural look. Talk to a specialist about the options you have: http://www.breastcenter.com/.

Original article

Breast Reconstruction After Lumpectomy or Mastectomy: Woman's Legal Right To Psychological Recovery

About one out of every eight women will develop some form of breast cancer within their lifetime. In 2010 approximately 207,000 cases of invasive breast cancer were diagnosed, with another 54,000 non-invasive cases diagnosed. Although breast reconstruction is an optional process after mastectomy, with over 2.5 women who have beat this disease, more and more women are choosing to have breast reconstruction as a part of breast cancer treatment. In fact, over 93,000 breast reconstruction procedures were performed in 2010, an increase of almost 20% from the year before (1). In fact, breast reconstruction has been seen as being so critical to a woman's recovery that in 1988, the Women's Health and Cancer Rights Act (WHCRA) was passed. This law actually requires all insurance companies who offer mastectomy coverage to also provide for reconstructive surgery, including any adjustments to the opposite breast to achieve symmetry and revision surgeries to refine the breast shape and recreate the nipple.

For most women, the treatment of breast cancer really consists of three parts. The first part of treatment is Physiological and involves the physical surgical removal of the tumor. A general surgeon performs either lumpectomy surgery, which removes the tumor and a small amount of surrounding tissue, or a mastectomy, which removes all breast tissue from the chest. Sometimes radiation therapy is used in combination with lumpectomy or mastectomy to treat any cancer cells that potentially remain. The choice of either surgery is usually determined by the size of the tumor, the size of the breast, and the patient's personal choice. The use of radiation is determined by the size of the tumor, tumor characteristics on biopsy, and what type of surgery is performed.

The second part of treatment is Pharmacological and includes chemotherapy in IV and/or pill form. Medications that modulate hormones are also sometimes used to reduce the risk of recurrence. This portion of the treatment can take anywhere from a few months to a year depending on chemotherapy drug choice, and tumor characteristics.

The final component of treatment is Psychosocial and includes all activities and treatments that help women to deal with their cancer and recovery. Studies have shown that breast reconstruction is important to helping women cope with cancer[2]. Because of this fact, breast reconstruction is a legally protected optional third part of treatment chosen by many women every year in the United States.

Breast reconstruction can be performed immediately after mastectomy or in a delayed manner, even months or years after mastectomy. There are several methods that can be used to reconstruct the breast, but they all fall under two main types - Flap reconstruction, which uses tissue from another part of the body, and Implant reconstruction, which uses a breast implant to recreate the breast. Sometimes a combination of both methods is used to get the best result possible.

Flap reconstruction uses muscle and fatty tissue from the back, tummy and occasionally other areas to create the breast mound. Skin can be transferred along with the other tissue when the chest skin has been damaged by infection, radiation, or a superficial tumor. Flap surgery requires a hospital stay of 3-7 days, leaves scars both on the breast and where the tissue was borrowed, and full recovery can take 2-3 months. Flap surgery has the benefit of avoiding an implant, but for patients who are very overweight or whose health is in poor condition, flap surgery may not be safe. Many women like that borrowing the tissue from the tummy is almost like having a tummy-tuck and that using tissue from the back can remove excess tissue that hangs over the bra straps.

Implant reconstruction has typically required two stages. During the first stage, a temporary implant (called a tissue expander) is inserted under the chest muscle. It is gradually filled with saline (IV fluid) after surgery through a needle that's inserted into a special part of the expander. In order to get more fluid into the expander at the time of the first surgery, tissue grafts called Allografts are sometimes sewn to the bottom of the muscle to make more room. The allograft also provides more coverage for the bottom of the implant. Complications of implant reconstruction with radiation are almost 50%, and the allograft can decrease some of these complications ( capsular contracture, exposure of the implant, and wound healing problems).

Using the allograft, sometimes an implant can be placed at the time of surgery (single stage reconstruction). This can only be done if the skin is in good condition after mastectomy. If the blood flow to the skin is poor, the traditional technique of slowly inflating the implant will need to be used.

If radiation is going to be needed, tissue expanders can be placed followed by flaps or implants, depending on how the skin recovers from radiation.

For more information the Author can be contacted by using this link.

[1] Report of the 2010 Plastic Surgery Statistics. Annual SASPS Procedural Statistics represent procedures performed by ASPS member surgeons certified by The American Board of Plastic Surgery® as well as other physicians certified by American Board of Medical Specialties-recognized boards. ©ASPS, 2011

[2] Rowland, Julia H. "Psycological Impact of Treatments for Breast Cancer", Surgery of the Breast, 2nd Edition, p. 382, 2006

Dana M. Goldberg M.D. is one of the fastest growing cosmetic plastic surgeons in West Palm Beach Florida. Dr. Goldberg was trained at the Ohio State university in plastic and reconstructive surgery. After completing her training she moved to Florida to create the thriving medical practice she enjoys today. Dr. Dana works with patients throughout the world, and is happy to answer questions for patients.

Original article

Different Types of Breast Reconstruction

There are more than 200,000 cases of breast cancer each year in the United States alone. Most of these women have never thought they would have to remove either a portion or the entirety of the breast. This may seem overwhelming, but you should know that you do have options when you have a mastectomy. The breast can be reconstructed and the surgery won't be noticeable after the procedure is complete.

One type of breast reconstruction that you might consider is having breast implants put in immediately after a mastectomy. If you go with this option, the breast implant is lodged behind the chest's pectoral muscle. Your surgeon will probably use a permanent implant, which would depend on the breast skin quality following the mastectomy and how large the implant is going to be. Once you're on your way to full recovery, which might be after a month or two after the surgery, your doctor may suggest a secondary procedure to adjust the contour of your breast shape. This additional procedure is simply done to adjust breast symmetry and can be performed on an outpatient basis.

A second option when thinking about a breast reconstruction is to get a breast implant using a staged approach. This process can begin immediately following a mastectomy, or it can be delayed as to give yourself more time to analyze your options. In the staged approached, a tissue expanding device is placed along the chest wall under the pectoral muscle. This acts as a space saver in which the permanent implant will eventually be placed into. A small amount of saline is injected into the expander. After a few weeks of healing, the expansion process can start to begin where the doctor will inject more saline into the expanding device through a fill-port located in the device. This port is reached by using a needle through the skin. After several months of expansion, the female will then have an operation to exchange the expansion device for a permanent breast implant.

There is a third option in the TRAM flap procedure. With this procedure, tissue is removed from the abdomen and moved up to the chest in order to create new breast tissues. This will create a more natural feeling breast as you are using your own natural tissue, and you may even achieve better symmetry using this approach. There are a few disadvantages however, one of which is a scar that can run across your entire abdomen from hip to hip. You may also experience weaknesses in your abdominal wall, bulges or even a hernia.

No matter what breast reconstruction you choose in the end, you have to make sure you get a clear comparison among all three methods by speaking with a qualified physician so that you will be comfortable with your final decision on how to go about your breast cancer surgery.

Dallas Breast Cancer Surgery can be a little scary. If you would like more information on breast cancer surgery, or some fresh ideas on working with your Dallas breast cancer surgeon, then come back and visit our site.

Original article

Breast Reconstruction Surgery Immediately Following A Mastectomy

Many women diagnosed with breast cancer will undergo a surgical procedure, called a mastectomy, to remove one or both breasts. After the mastectomy, some women will choose to undergo reconstruction surgery to rebuild the shape and appearance of the breast. Often, breast reconstruction surgery can be performed immediately following the mastectomy. This procedure occurs during the same operating room visit as the mastectomy so that the patient does not need to come back for more surgery.

With a mastectomy, all of the breast tissue and often, some surrounding tissue, are removed. Sometimes both breasts are removed, often as a preventive surgery for women who are at high risk for developing breast cancer. Losing one or both breasts can be both physically and emotionally devastating to the patient. Fortunately, many women are able to undergo reconstructive surgery to give them the pre-surgery appearance they desire.

Women who want reconstruction can choose to have it done while they are still under anesthesia from the mastectomy. Recent studies have concluded that immediate reconstruction does not delay post-operative chemotherapy, increase recovery time or hinder the diagnosis of local cancer reoccurrence. Many women choose to have reconstruction immediately after mastectomy so that the entire process is complete with one surgical experience.

Breast reconstruction helps to restore symmetry to the patient who has lost a breast to a mastectomy. In addition to rebuilding the lost tissue, the remaining breast may undergo a lift, reduction or augmentation to improve the symmetry of both breasts. Your surgeon will be able to make recommendations for a natural and balanced look that will help you feel confident and secure.

During this procedure, the surgeon may use skin and fat from your abdomen and back to reconstruct the breast mound. A saline or silicone gel implant may be used in combination with this technique. The method used will often be determined by your anatomy, desired results and personal preferences. It is important to note that the patient will not have the same sensation in the reconstructed breast as a natural one. It will feel different or unnatural, depending on the implant used. The patient will notice visible incision lines from the mastectomy and reconstruction.

Losing one or more breasts to cancer can be a very emotional experience. Often, a woman's breasts are closely related to her self-esteem and sexual confidence. With immediate reconstruction, the woman does not have to worry with breast prostheses or other devices that give the illusion of breasts. Reconstruction ensures that the woman has the shape and figure that will allow her to wear the clothes she wants and feel confident with her appearance.

Not all cancer centers have qualified surgeons that are able to provide reconstruction in conjunction with a mastectomy. You will need to talk with your cancer specialists about your desire for this procedure to determine what options are available for you. Your physician will be able to go over the risks and benefits of reconstruction immediately following a mastectomy.

Breast cancer treatment can have a big impact on a woman's emotional and physical health. It is important that you get the care and treatment you require to fight this disease and to live as a survivor. Breast reconstruction is one way to help women feel better about their post-cancer body and improve their quality of life.

Laura Mims is a writer for FirstHealth Moore Regional Hospital, which specializes in oncology, cancer care and cancer treatment in Pinehurst, North Carolina.

Original article