Oncoplastic surgery can help treat cancer while improving the shape of the breast at the same time.
Breast Reconstruction Surgery
Women who have aggressive forms of breast cancer, or who are at high risk of developing the disease, sometimes choose to have a mastectomy, the surgical removal of one or both breasts. Some patients may then choose to have surgery to reconstruct their breasts to restore their form and shape. During this procedure, doctors can replace any skin, breast tissue or a nipple that they may have removed during the surgery. (If you still need radiation therapy after your mastectomy, your doctor may suggest you wait for reconstructive surgery until after you finish treatment.) Breast implants, filled with either silicone or saline, can be used to reshape your breast, or you can even use your own tissue, a procedure called flap surgery. Both breast implants and flap surgery are complex procedures, each with their own risks; they may require second surgeries to position the breasts correctly. Most insurance companies will cover this type of reconstructive surgery. Learn more about breast reconstruction with expert advice from Sharecare.
Recently Answered
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St. Petersburg General Hospital answeredSee All 2 AnswersThe number of operations required for breast reconstruction depends on the type of procedure.
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UCLA Health answeredSee All 2 AnswersWhen diagnosed with breast cancer, most women are at the age when they have small areas of skin or excess fat around the belly, and many may have been thinking about having a tummy tuck. A breast reconstruction and tummy tuck can be performed at the same time, and the genius of this procedure is that instead of performing the tummy tuck and throwing the tissue away, the doctor can transfer that tissue to the chest area to simulate the appearance of a breast. This procedure is usually covered by your health insurance company.
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Dr. Homayoun N. Sasson, MD , Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery, answered on behalf of Castle Connolly Top DoctorsSee All 4 AnswersThe timing of breast reconstruction following cancer surgery varies according to the stage and progression of the cancer, preferences of the woman and the surgeon and other treatments that might be necessary. Following are options for timing of breast reconstruction surgery:
- Immediate breast reconstruction is done at the same time as cancer resection, often requiring further revisional surgeries for better symmetry.
- Delayed breast reconstruction is usually done when interim treatments are indicated, such as adjuvant chemo, radiation or hormonal therapies.
- Delayed-immediate breast reconstruction is done at the same time as cancer surgery, but further definitive reconstruction is delayed until completion of interim treatments.
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Citrus Memorial Hospital answeredStaged breast reconstruction is a procedure for replacing removed breast tissue over time.
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Intermountain Healthcare answeredSee All 2 Answers"Simultaneous breast reconstruction" is actually a term that requires clarification. One use of the term refers to the timing of reconstruction while another use refers to the sequence of reconstruction in cases of a double mastectomy.
Breast reconstruction during the same anesthetic event as the mastectomy may be termed simultaneous reconstruction, immediate reconstruction, or primary reconstruction. While this approach can be ideal, it may not be appropriate in selected cases (such as women who are anticipated to have radiation following their mastectomy).
Simultaneous reconstruction is also a termed used when referring to reconstruction of both breasts at the same surgical setting. In other words, if there is a loss of both breasts a "simultaneous reconstruction" may refer to reconstructing both breasts at the same surgery. This term most commonly arises when discussing the use of buttock (gluteal) tissues to reconstruct a double (bilateral) mastectomy defect. Some surgical practices will reconstruct one side, allow the patient to recover, then reconstruct the opposite side at a later date. This is a staged reconstruction. Other practices may reconstruct both breasts in the same surgical setting (e.g. simultaneous bilateral S-GAP breast reconstruction).
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Dr. Preya Ananthakrishnan, MD , Surgery, answered on behalf of Columbia University Department of SurgerySee All 2 AnswersMany breast cancer surgeons now perform oncoplastic surgery, which is a combination of oncologic procedures for tumor removal with plastic surgery techniques to maintain the shape of the breast. One key technique in this approach is the local advancement flap. With this technique, the surgeon removes the cancer, then rotates the remaining tissue to reconstruct the breast. This gives the woman an optimal appearance and leaves minimal indentations or defects, particularly after radiation. There are other more advanced oncoplastic techniques, including lumpectomy combined with breast reduction, which can give women the option of lumpectomy with immediate local reconstruction rather than mastectomy. In some cases, the surgeon may also reduce the size or alter the shape of the opposite breast in order to maintain a balanced appearance.
Women with DCIS (ductal carcinoma in situ), a noninvasive cancer, can also benefit from oncoplastic techniques. Because DCIS is distributed through the breast's ductal system, sometimes it can be difficult to excise. Removal of DCIS may require removal of a substantial amount of breast tissue, and some patients have traditionally had to undergo mastectomy. Now, the creative use of oncoplastic methods is allowing many women with DCIS to keep their breasts intact and with excellent results.
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Frankfort Regional Medical Center answeredSee All 3 AnswersBreast cancer can recur after a mastectomy because all of the breast tissue can’t be removed.
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Good In Bed answered
You can go one of two routes with breast construction after a mastectomy. You can choose saline or silicone implants, which would be inserted under your chest muscle in order to create a mound. Or you could opt for breast reconstruction using your own skin tissue, usually taken from the lower abdomen. Because—while we think you look fantastic no matter what—having even faux breasts can make you feel better about body. Just remember that the sensations you experience in that area will be different from what you were used to. Those old nerve endings are gone. Your new nipples will be tattooed on.