Breast reconstruction is a plastic surgery procedure in which the shape of
the breast is rebuilt. Many women who choose to have preventive mastectomy also
decide to have breast reconstruction, either at the time of the mastectomy or at
some later time.
Before performing breast reconstruction, the plastic surgeon carefully
examines the breasts and discusses the reconstruction options. In one type of
reconstructive procedure, the surgeon inserts an implant (a balloon-like device
filled with saline or silicone) under the skin and the chest muscles. Another
procedure, called tissue flap reconstruction, uses skin, fat, and muscle from
the woman's abdomen, back, or buttocks to create the breast shape. The surgeon
will discuss with the patient any limitations on exercise or arm motion that
might result from these operations.
7. What type of follow-up care is needed after reconstructive surgery?
Women who have reconstructive surgery are monitored carefully to detect and
treat complications, such as infection, movement of the implant, or contracture
(the formation of a firm, fibrous shell or scar tissue around the implant caused
by the body's reaction to the implant). Women who have tissue flap
reconstruction may want to ask their surgeon about physical therapy, which can
help them adjust to limitations in activity and exercise after surgery.
Routine screening for breast cancer is also part of the postoperative follow-up,
because the risk of cancer cannot be completely eliminated. When women with
breast implants have mammograms, they should tell the radiology technician about
the implant. Special procedures may be necessary to improve the accuracy of the
mammogram and to avoid damaging the implant. However, women who have had
reconstructive surgery on both breasts should ask their doctors whether
mammograms are still necessary. (More information about mammograms can be found
in the NCI fact sheet, Screening Mammograms: Questions and Answers, at
http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Detection/screening-mammograms on
the Internet.)
Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women and the second most common cause of cancer death in women in the U.S. Symptoms include a lump in the breast or underarm area, nipple pain, change in breast size or shape, an inverted nipple, nipple discharge, and breast skin changes. Treatment may involve chemotherapy, radiation therapy, biological therapy, hormone therapy, or surgery.
Cancer is a disease caused by an abnormal growth of cells, also called malignancy. It is a group of 100 different diseases, and is not contagious. Cancer can be treated through chemotherapy, a treatment of drugs that destroy cancer cells.
The breast generally refers to the chest, however, more specifically, to the mammary gland. The mammary gland is a milk producing gland comprised largely of fat. Within the mammary gland is a complex network of branching ducts. The ducts exit from sac-like structures called lobules, which can produce milk in females. The darkened area around the nipple is called the areola. Common medical concerns in regard to the breast include breast lumps, breast cysts, breast cancer, and breast infections.
Lifestyle changes, a healthy antioxidant-rich diet, exercise, and weight reduction can help reduce a woman's risk of developing breast cancer. It's important to be aware of how risk factors such as family history, lifestyle factors, breast conditions, radiation therapy, and hormonal factors may influence your chances of developing breast cancer. Mammography and breast self-examinations are crucial steps in breast cancer prevention.
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