Breast reconstruction after cancer is performed in different ways, depending on the extent of the cancer, the patient’s request, and the doctor’s diagnosis. The patient should be sufficiently aware of the types to receive the best result according to their body anatomy and general health.
Breast reconstruction after cancer is a key process that allows women to return to the natural shape and appearance of their breasts. This article examines the types of methods used to reconstruct the breast after breast cancer surgery.
Is breast reconstruction after cancer necessary?
There are a variety of factors that justify breast reconstruction after cancer. While this may sometimes be the right decision, in other cases, it may not be necessary for some reason, including the patient’s overall health or personal preferences.
What are the types of breast reconstruction after cancer?
Breast reconstruction is done in two ways:
- Immediate, meaning at the same time as cancer treatment.
- Delayed, which can happen years after cancer treatment.
1. Immediate breast reconstruction
The immediate type of breast reconstruction, which is the same as cancer treatment, is in such a way that the doctor completely removes the patient’s breast tissue, which may preserve the patient’s skin and nipple, and now what remains is the tissue that has been removed, what can be replaced with it!
This replacement can be made of artificial material, such as a prosthesis and a space filler, or it can be made of the patient’s own body tissue.
2. Delayed breast reconstruction
However, patients who visit the doctor late, a patient who has had a mastectomy for years and now wants to have reconstruction, the patient is sick immediately after the operation, and the patient has only received chemotherapy and has not received radiotherapy when the oncologist approves and the patient’s general condition is good, the doctor can allow the patient to perform this operation.
What are the methods of breast reconstruction surgery after cancer?
The purpose of breast reconstruction surgery after cancer is to change the shape and reconstruct the breast tissue after mastectomy and lumpectomy.
There are two types of breast reconstruction surgery after cancer:
1. Using saline or silicone implants
In this method, a saline or silicone implant is placed under the skin or muscles under the breast tissue. In most patients, this method involves two surgical stages. In the first surgery, a tissue expander is placed under the skin of the breast or the pectoral muscles. This expander, like a temporary saline implant, will stretch the tissue.
After the recovery period, a sterile saline solution is injected into the tissue. This will stretch the underlying tissues and muscles and achieve the desired results for the patient.
After this stage, and when the chest is ready to receive the implant, the second stage, which involves removing the expander tissue and placing the implant, will begin.
2. Using tissue from other parts of the body, also called a skin flap.
In this method, tissue is taken from other parts of the body and transferred to the chest. Breast reconstruction using a skin flap is a complex procedure.
In some cases, a combination of the above methods will be considered for the patient.
After breast reconstruction surgery, a scar remains, which, of course, will fade over time. Today, there are various methods and techniques available to reduce the scar.
After a mastectomy, reconstructive surgery makes the patient feel good about their body. However, it is important to note that breast reconstruction surgery cannot restore the breasts to their normal state.
What factors influence the best type of breast reconstruction after cancer?
The decision to do breast reconstruction surgery after cancer is completely personal, and after the final decision, the following should be determined in consultation with the doctor:
- Type of surgery
- Appropriate time for surgery
- Surgery on both breasts or one breast
Factors that are effective in determining the best surgical method include:
- Body type, for example, people who are thin have enough tissue for skin flap surgery
- The patient’s physical condition
- Location and type of cancer
- Other cancer cures, such as radiotherapy or chemotherapy
- The person’s recovery rate after surgery
In what cases is breast reconstruction not needed after cancer?
We know that sometimes the patient’s tumor is small and he has referred to the breast surgeon in a timely manner, or the ratio of the tumor size to the breast size is appropriate, so that the doctor does not have to remove a large volume of the breast.
Sometimes, in treating breast cancer, the doctor can preserve the patient’s breast in such a way that its size and shape do not change much compared to the opposite side, and ultimately it has an appropriate and acceptable size and shape.
In this case, it is preferable to preserve the patient’s own breast, which in this case has a better result than any reconstruction.
Important points about breast reconstruction surgery after cancer
- This surgery can be performed at the same time as the removal of the breasts or shortly after.
- This surgery is associated with scars on the chest or areas from which tissue is removed (for skin flaps).
- The recovery process from surgery depends on things such as history of surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, smoking, diabetes, or medication.
- Usually, if the patient has health problems or is a smoker, this surgery will be delayed. It is recommended to stop smoking two months before surgery so that the recovery process can proceed more quickly.
- Sometimes, the doctor may recommend other surgeries such as breast implants, breast lift, or breast reduction to further shape the breasts.
Preparation before breast reconstruction surgery after cancer
Full details and information will be provided to the patient before surgery. Such as medications used, surgical site, recovery period, possible complications and general treatment plan.
The patient should also:
- Quit smoking.
- Stop taking herbal supplements and vitamins.
- Ask someone to accompany him until the day of surgery.
Is breast reconstruction after cancer possible with minimal complications?
Yes. There are ways to save the skin and have another prosthesis inserted, but to do this, the patient must fully cooperate with their doctor. This requires several operations and even outpatient procedures, and may also cost more.
Of course, there are ways to minimize complications. One of the cases is to use the patient’s own body tissue instead of a prosthesis.
Can the patient’s skin be used for breast reconstruction after radiotherapy?
But if the patient has undergone radiotherapy, because radiotherapy has very bad effects on the skin, this thin skin is often very hard and dry, so the patient’s skin cannot be used in this situation.
But if the patient does not want to have a prosthesis, the skin that has undergone radiotherapy is completely removed and the abdominal and back flaps are completely used for the breast.
What is meant by symmetry in breast reconstruction after cancer?
We should know that breast reconstruction procedures are multi-stage operations and in all of these operations, it may be necessary to make the opposite side symmetrical, including:
- This symmetry can be in the form of reducing the opposite breast.
- Or a part of the tissue removal or prosthesis can be on the opposite side, where fat injection can be performed.
- And even the same side where the repair was performed improves and finally has a suitable appearance and is almost symmetrical with the opposite side, even requiring revision and fat injection.
Conclusion
The things mentioned in this article refer to the things that a breast surgeon does to reconstruct the breast after cancer, and there may be more ways, but it is important that the patient takes the observed symptoms seriously with sufficient awareness and without any fear or concern, and immediately consults the best breast cancer specialist.