Did you know that removing a breast cancer with an adequate margin or rim of normal breast tissue (lumpectomy and preserving the breast) followed by radiation has the same survival as a mastectomy (complete removal of the breast tissue)?
Many women fear that if the breast is not completely removed then they will not survive. It isn’t wrong to have the breast removed if that decision is an informed decision, or in some instances is required, but the survival is still the same. With the increased use of mammograms, many breast cancers are quite small when discovered which is why mammogram screening is important. For many women a lumpectomy is a viable option, and some recent studies suggest that survival may be slightly greater than a mastectomy.
There are many techniques used to preserve the breast without compromising survival while maintaining function and quality of life.
Some women decide after having breast implants for several years to have them removed for various reasons (implant rupture, hardening of the implants, pain etc…). However, a rare condition, called Breast Implant Associated Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma (abbreviated as BIA-ALCL) is a form of T-cell lymphoma that occurs after patients have breast implants. It is NOT breast cancer but rather a cancer of the immune system. The TGA (Therapeutic Goods Administration) has decided to take regulatory action in relation to all un-implanted breast implants and tissue expanders sold in Australia. If your implants have been cancelled, suspended or recalled it is NOT advised to have them removed unless you have concerning symptoms.
The main symptoms of BIA-ALCL are swelling, presence of a mass or pain in the breast in the area of the implant. These symptoms may and often occur three to fourteen years after implant placement. The most common symptom of swelling is associated with excessive fluid accumulation around the breast implant. The diagnosis is made by draining the fluid with a small needle for testing. It is a treatable condition. If you would like to learn about BIA-ALCL go to https://tga.gov.au or contact your surgeon.
Often with aging, a woman’s breast shape and lift is affected by pregnancy, breast feeding and gravity. She may develop what is called ptosis or a drooping/sagging breast. When a woman with these breast features has breast cancer, depending on the size of her breast, she may be a candidate for oncoplastic surgery. Onco (cancer) and plastic (aesthetic)) is a merger of surgical oncologic principles with those of plastic surgery.
Preoperative markings are done for surgical planning and to achieve the best symmetry. Usually, a patient is discharged the following day with mild bruising which resolves shortly after. Oncoplastic surgery removes the breast cancer with adequate margins of normal breast tissue, while preserving the breast with a reasonable aesthetic outcome, often with improvement of the overall appearance of the breast.
Mastectomy is removal of all breast tissue and is performed to treat or prevent breast cancer. There are different types of mastectomy including traditional (flat), skin sparing and nipple sparing.
The type of mastectomy depends on whether a patient is having reconstructive surgery, the location of the cancer within the breast and many other factors. Studies have shown that keeping skin or the nipple does NOT increase cancer recurrence nor impact survival.
Australia has one of the lowest breast reconstruction rates in comparison to other developed countries such as the UK and US. Only 17% of women having a mastectomy will have breast reconstruction in comparison to 3 of 10 in the UK and 5 of 10 in the US. There is significant variation with factors such as geographic location, costs and lack of awareness. For Australian women, it is important to understand your options at the time of diagnosis, especially breast reconstruction. The success of reconstruction depends on the success of the mastectomy and the type of mastectomy (see mastectomy to learn more).
There are several breast reconstruction options, and these can be separated into two main categories, implant-based (using an implant) or autologous based (using your own tissue). There are advantages and disadvantages to both, and several factors that influence the best option for you to be considered.
Below are examples of implant-based reconstruction options using skin sparing mastectomy with subpectoral reconstruction (the implant behind the muscle), nipple sparing mastectomy with subpectoral reconstruction, and nipple sparing with pre-pectoral reconstruction (implant in front of the muscle). These options may vary depending on various factors that are discussed at consultation.
Dr. Dauway performs implant-based reconstruction and works with a team of plastic reconstructive surgeons that offer tissue based autologous reconstruction to achieve the best result possible for you.
Some women decide after having breast implants for several years to have them removed for various reasons (implant rupture, hardening of the implants, pain etc…). However, a rare condition, called Breast Implant Associated Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma (abbreviated as BIA-ALCL) is a form of T-cell lymphoma that occurs after patients have breast implants. It is NOT breast cancer but rather a cancer of the immune system. The TGA (Therapeutic Goods Administration) has decided to take regulatory action in relation to all un-implanted breast implants and tissue expanders sold in Australia. If your implants have been cancelled, suspended or recalled it is NOT advised to have them removed unless you have concerning symptoms.
The main symptoms of BIA-ALCL are swelling, presence of a mass or pain in the breast in the area of the implant. These symptoms may and often occur three to fourteen years after implant placement. The most common symptom of swelling is associated with excessive fluid accumulation around the breast implant. The diagnosis is made by draining the fluid with a small needle for testing. It is a treatable condition. If you would like to learn about BIA-ALCL go to https://tga.gov.au or contact your surgeon.
By incorporating yoga and mindfulness in her surgical practice, Dr Emilia Dauway empowers women to live without fear through mindful living.