The role of reconstruction in breast cancer

Article Abstract:

Physical breast examinations and mammography are resulting in an increasing number of women being diagnosed in the early stages of breast cancer. Breast-conserving surgery, or 'lumpectomy', may be an option for these women. Nevertheless, the many cases of breast cancer are treated by modified radical mastectomy (MR). Some women and some surgeons choose MR because they fear the risk of recurrence may be higher with lumpectomy. If the cancer has progressed beyond a small lump, total mastectomy, the removal of the whole breast, or modified radical mastectomy, which removes additional tissue including lymph nodes and some muscle, may be required. MR remains the most common breast cancer treatment and at some hospitals still outnumbers lumpectomy by two-to-one. Many women who undergo MR desire reconstruction of the breast, a surgical procedures distinct from augmentation, the cosmetic building up of a breast. The author describes some of the considerations in determining the most suitable type of surgical breast cancer treatment and the most appropriate type of reconstruction. The author also describes some of the economic aspects of breast cancer treatment, based on cost data from his own hospital. Radical mastectomy is the cheapest treatment for breast cancer; lumpectomy is cheaper than MR plus reconstruction, but not by much. With more elaborate special treatments after surgery, the cost of lumpectomy can exceed that of MR with breast reconstruction. In recent years, a reconstruction method that has become more popular is the TRAM flap (trans rectus abdominal myocutaneous flap). In the TRAM flap method, tissue for the reconstruction of the breast is removed from the abdomen, where a large amount of tissue is generally available and where a surgical scar is generally least objectionable. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Economic aspects, Surgery, Breast cancer, Surgery, Plastic, Plastic surgery, Breast implants, Mammaplasty, Breast reconstruction

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Diversity matters: unique populations of women and breast cancer screening

Article Abstract:

United States, Psychological aspects, Evaluation, Demographic aspects, Beliefs, opinions and attitudes, Minority women, Medical screening, Health screening, Health behavior, Health attitudes, Health behaviour

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