What is Breast Reconstruction?
In cases where a mastectomy surgery (removal of the entire breast) is required for the treatment of breast cancer, the reconstruction of a breast is called “breast reconstruction”.
Breast Reconstruction After Breast Removal
Breast reconstruction is known as silicone after mastectomy, breast repair after breast removal or prosthesis surgery after breast removal.
With breast reconstruction surgery, the lost breast tissue is recreated using silicone prosthesis (implant) or the patient’s own tissues (flaps) or in some cases, the two methods are combined to create a new breast image.
Breast reconstruction can be performed by oncoplastic breast surgeons themselves or breast surgeons and plastic surgeons can perform the surgery together.
Why is Breast Reconstruction Performed?
In women who have undergone mastectomy (complete removal of the breast by surgical method/surgery) due to breast cancer, my own personal experience and studies on this subject have shown that the quality of life of women with breast cancer has increased and the psychological effects of breast cancer treatment are better accepted.
In women who have undergone breast reconstruction, the positive contribution of the repair of the lost tissue, that is, the reconstruction of the breast, to the recovery and psychological state of the breast cancer patient is important.
What is Mastectomy?
Mastectomy is simply the surgical removal of the entire breast. However, it varies depending on the type and extent of breast cancer. If only the breast is removed, it is called a “simple mastectomy”, and if the axillary lymph nodes are also removed, it is called a “modified radical mastectomy”.
In some cases, as part of the treatment for breast cancer, removal of breast tissue (mastectomy) is required. A breast may be removed due to the stage of breast cancer, its prevalence in the breast, and the patient’s wishes. A new breast may be replaced with a new one during the same surgery, while the breast is being removed, or due to patient wishes or medical requirements.
It should not be forgotten that the surgical treatment of breast cancer, in other words, what is done, is a cancer surgery (oncological surgery). Reconstruction is a reconstructive surgery added to this cancer surgery.
Post-Mastectomy Breast Silicone (Prosthesis) Surgery
The most commonly used method for breast reconstruction (rebuilding the breast) after mastectomy is reconstruction with a silicone prosthesis (implant). If breast reconstruction with a silicone prosthesis is to be performed in the same surgery as the removal of the breast (mastectomy), the cosmetic appearance can be planned better.
Aesthetically, better results can be obtained with single-session post-mastectomy silicone prosthesis surgeries, and psychologically, the breast cancer patient leaves the operating table without losing her body integrity.
How is Breast Reconstruction Performed?
Breast reconstruction should be personalized for the breast cancer patient, and the appropriate method for the patient and her condition should be decided together with the patient. Not every reconstruction method may be suitable for every breast cancer patient.
Factors affecting the breast reconstruction method to be selected:
Stage of breast cancer,
Type and prevalence of breast cancer,
Patient’s body structure,
Patient’s breast structure and size,
How saggy the patient’s breast is,
Breast cancer patient’s skin and tissue quality,
Patient’s previous habits (smoking, etc.),
Patient’s existing diseases (diabetes mellitus, autoimmune diseases, skin diseases, etc.),
Breast cancer patient’s wishes and expectations.
There are many methods for breast cancer reconstruction. The breast surgeon should decide on the reconstruction method that is appropriate for the patient and breast cancer together with the patient.