New Alternative to Mastectomy

July 21, 2006

Since 1997, breast augmentation procedures have increased a whopping 460 percent and are in the top five most popular cosmetic surgery procedures in the United States. Unfortunately, the growing trend of breast implants raises some concerns over the problems that arise when screening, diagnosing, and treating breast cancer.

While recent studies indicate breast implants don't increase the risk of cancer, more and more women are opting to have the procedure, which means more women with implants may eventually be diagnosed with breast cancer. However, a new alternative to mastectomy can help cancer patients save their breasts.

Breast Conservation Therapy for Augmented Cancer Patients

A recent study conducted by researchers at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia was designed to determine whether or not breast conservation therapy (BCT) was a feasible option for breast cancer patients with implants.

BCT, a relatively new procedure that controls cancer as well as provides pleasing aesthetic results to patients, would be performed in place of a mastectomy or complete breast removal. BCT involves a lumpectomy with lymph node dissection followed by radiation therapy treatments to ensure all cancer cells are removed.

The new findings, published in the July issue of The Breast Journal, concluded that women treated with BCT achieved satisfactory results without undergoing mastectomy or breast reconstruction procedures.

“Options provided to augmented patients suffering from breast cancer is limited as compared to the general population, with most augmented patients receiving modified radical mastectomy,” said one expert, Dr. Anne Rosenberg.

Learn more about breast augmentation – Please contact us today to set up a consultation with a qualified and experienced board certified plastic surgeon near you.

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