Every woman diagnosed with breast cancer naturally wishes to both survive the cancer and keep her breast. Surviving breast cancer is the primary goal. Once the patient has undergone the necessary treatment and recovered, breast reconstruction through post-cancer repair will help her feel much better psychologically and physically.
Contents
- Timing in Breast Reconstruction
- When is Breast Reconstruction Performed After Cancer?
- What Are the Methods of Breast Reconstruction?
- Who is Eligible for Breast Reconstruction with Implants?
- Who is Breast Reconstruction Using Tissue Taken from the Patient's Own Body Suitable for?
- Who is the Combined Surgery Using Both the Patient's Own Tissue and Implants Suitable For?
Breast reconstruction, or the rebuilding of the breast, is a very important issue for patients who have had their breast removed due to breast cancer (mastectomy). Completing the woman's missing breast helps her feel whole again.
Breast reconstruction should be performed in all women whose general health condition is suitable. We perform this reconstruction using excess tissue taken from the abdomen and back. In suitable cases, we can also achieve this reconstruction with tissue expansion and silicone breast implants. Depending on the characteristics of the case, we can achieve the ideal breast shape using a combination of these methods.
After breast reconstruction, the nipple and surrounding area are also created to give the breast a natural appearance. Thanks to breast reconstruction after cancer, women feel whole again.
Timing in Breast Reconstruction
Breast cancer is a very common type of cancer in women. Thanks to recent advances in medicine, in cases of breast cancer detected early, only a limited amount of breast tissue is removed, preserving a large portion of the breast. Some cases of breast cancer also require radiotherapy. In certain types of cancer, the breast is emptied while preserving the skin.
There are also cases where the nipple is preserved. In such cases, it is possible to achieve an excellent breast shape using silicone breast implants and regional tissue-supported surgery. There are also methods of creating a new breast using only the patient's own tissue. Tissue from the abdominal and back areas is most commonly used in these types of surgery.
In cases where the entire breast is removed, excess tissue from the abdominal area is used to create a new breast. The new breast closely resembles the other breast and is often more aesthetically pleasing than the original. In some cases where the abdominal area is not preferred, using tissue from the back to create a breast yields excellent results.
Nowadays, breast reconstruction can be performed during the same session. In cases where it is not medically appropriate during the first surgery, we perform breast reconstruction surgery at a later stage.
When is Breast Reconstruction Performed After Cancer?
The timing of breast reconstruction after cancer varies from patient to patient. Breast reconstruction is sometimes performed in combination with breast cancer surgery, while at other times it is performed after the radiotherapy and chemotherapy process is complete.
What Are the Methods of Breast Reconstruction?
The methods used in breast reconstruction, or repair, after cancer are as follows:
- Breast reconstruction with prosthesis,
- Breast reconstruction using tissue taken from the patient's own body,
- It is possible to mention the existence of methods that use both the patient's own tissue and prosthesis together.
Who is Eligible for Breast Reconstruction with Implants?
When breast reconstruction with implants is chosen, the patient must not have undergone or be scheduled to undergo radiotherapy during their breast cancer treatment. Breast reconstruction with implants can be performed either during the cancer surgery or at a time chosen by the patient after the cancer surgery.
Who is Breast Reconstruction Using Tissue Taken from the Patient's Own Body Suitable for?
This method is suitable for patients who desire long-term aesthetic symmetry after breast reconstruction and who can tolerate a longer and more difficult postoperative period than breast reconstruction with prostheses.
Who is the Combined Surgery Using Both the Patient's Own Tissue and Implants Suitable For?
This combined breast reconstruction method is preferred in cases where the patient has undergone radiotherapy treatment and the entire breast has been removed.
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