Do you need a CT angiogram before DIEP flap breast reconstruction?
If you've had several previous abdominal surgeries and are considering DIEP flap breast reconstruction, a CT angiogram may be recommended by your plastic surgeon.A CT angiogram (CTA) is a special type of CT scan that examines the blood vessels in the abdomen to determine if they are intact and able to be used for DIEP flap reconstruction. It can also provide a "road map" for the surgeon and help locate the largest blood vessels ("perforators").Sometimes the vessels needed for the DIEP flap may have been damaged by previous abdominal surgery. Although the majority of previous abdominal surgeries are not a contraindication f...
Source: Breast Cancer Reconstruction Blog - February 18, 2015 Category: Cancer & Oncology Tags: CT angio CT angiogram CTA DIEP flap perforators Source Type: blogs
What is a Microsurgery?
Microsurgery is a very intricate, specialized type of plastic surgery performed using delicate instruments, sutures finer than human hair and high powered magnification provided by either a microscope or high-powered loupes. Microsurgeons can repair and reconnect very small blood vessels and nerves less than 1mm in diameter.Microsurgery has allowed significant advances in many surgical fields. Breast reconstruction has been transformed completely.We can now replace tissue removed by a mastectomy with the patient's own tissue transplanted from another part of their body. Unlike conventional tissue reconstruction techniques ...
Source: Breast Cancer Reconstruction Blog - January 21, 2015 Category: Cancer & Oncology Authors: noreply at blogger.com (Minas Chrysopoulo MD) Tags: anastomosis breast reconstruction DIEP flap microsurgery perforator flaps Source Type: blogs
When should you see a Breast Reconstruction Surgeon?
It is very important for patients to learn about all their breast cancer treatment options, including breast reconstruction, as soon as possible after the initial breast cancer diagnosis.It should go without saying that the top priority is always going to be to treat the cancer first, to try to cure the patient. However, treatment decisions early on in the process often determine the physical results the patient has to live with for the rest of her life.If you think you may be interested in reconstruction, it is very important to see a breast reconstruction surgeon before any breast cancer surgery is scheduled. Of course t...
Source: Breast Cancer Reconstruction Blog - January 2, 2015 Category: Cancer & Oncology Tags: Breast reconstruction surgeon delayed breast reconstruction immediate breast reconstruction Source Type: blogs
When should you see a Breast Reconstruction Surgeon?
It is very important for patients to learn about all their breast cancer treatment options, including breast reconstruction, as soon as possible after the initial breast cancer diagnosis.It should go without saying that the top priority is always going to be to treat the cancer first, to try to cure the patient. However, treatment decisions early on in the process often determine the physical results the patient has to live with for the rest of her life.If you think you may be interested in reconstruction, it is very important to see a breast reconstruction surgeon before any breast cancer surgery is scheduled. Of course t...
Source: Breast Cancer Reconstruction Blog - January 2, 2015 Category: Cancer & Oncology Tags: Breast reconstruction surgeon delayed breast reconstruction immediate breast reconstruction Source Type: blogs
BRCA 1 & 2 Gene Testing: What Does A Positive Test Mean And Should You Get Tested?
The BRCA 1 and 2 gene mutations, and a handful of other (rarer) gene mutations, account for about 10% of all breast cancer cases. The abnormal genes affect about 1 in 400 people and can be inherited from either or both parents.BRCA gene mutations increase the lifetime risk of breast cancer in women to between 50 and 87% (depending on the study). The lifetime risk of breast cancer in the general population is about 12%.Due to the publicity BRCA has received in the media lately, most people think it only affects women. That's not true. Men can be affected too. Men carrying an abnormal BRCA gene have a 5-10% risk of getting b...
Source: Breast Cancer Reconstruction Blog - October 27, 2014 Category: Cancer & Oncology Tags: BRCA BRCA1 BRCA2 breast cancer colon fallopian tube family history of breast cancer gene mutation genetic counseling genetic testing melanoma ovarian pancreatic peritoneal Source Type: blogs
BRCA 1 & 2 Gene Testing: What Does A Positive Test Mean And Should You Get Tested?
< div style="text-align: center;" > < br / > < iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/CuQKfCca8Ec" width="560" > < /iframe > < /div > < br / > < div style="text-align: left;" > The BRCA 1 and 2 gene mutations, and a handful of other (rarer) gene mutations, account for about 10% of all breast cancer cases. The abnormal genes affect about 1 in 400 people and can be inherited from either or both parents. < br / > < br / > BRCA gene mutations increase the lifetime risk of breast cancer in women to between 50 and 87% (depending on the study). The lifetime risk of breast cancer in the...
Source: Breast Cancer Reconstruction Blog - October 27, 2014 Category: Cancer & Oncology Tags: BRCA BRCA1 BRCA2 breast cancer colon fallopian tube family history of breast cancer gene mutation genetic counseling genetic testing melanoma ovarian pancreatic peritoneal Source Type: blogs
Does Immediate Breast Reconstruction Delay Chemotherapy?
Many patients think or are told they cannot haveimmediate breast reconstruction (reconstruction at the same time as mastectomy) because it will significantly delay chemotherapy. In reality, breast reconstruction very rarely interferes with chemotherapy.Patients that have immediate reconstruction and need chemotherapy can start their treatments once they have healed from their surgery. This usually takes about 4 weeks. The healing time required before chemotherapy is about the same whether patients have mastectomy alone or mastectomy and reconstruction.A small percentage of patients develop wound healing problems after thei...
Source: Breast Cancer Reconstruction Blog - October 23, 2014 Category: Cancer & Oncology Tags: breast reconstruction chemotherapy delayed breast reconstruction immediate breast reconstruction mastectomy wound healing wound healing problems Source Type: blogs
Does Immediate Breast Reconstruction Delay Chemotherapy?
Many patients think or are told they cannot have immediate breast reconstruction (reconstruction at the same time as mastectomy) because it will significantly delay chemotherapy. In reality, breast reconstruction very rarely interferes with chemotherapy.Patients that have immediate reconstruction and need chemotherapy can start their treatments once they have healed from their surgery. This usually takes about 4 weeks. The healing time required before chemotherapy is about the same whether patients have mastectomy alone or mastectomy and reconstruction.A small percentage of patients develop wound healing problems after the...
Source: Breast Cancer Reconstruction Blog - October 23, 2014 Category: Cancer & Oncology Tags: breast reconstruction chemotherapy delayed breast reconstruction immediate breast reconstruction mastectomy wound healing wound healing problems Source Type: blogs
Who is NOT a DIEP flap candidate?
With more women becoming aware of DIEP flap breast reconstruction as an option, the question of who is and who isn't a good DIEP flap candidate is coming up more often.As a general rule, women that have had extensive abdominal surgery like a previous TRAM flap, tummy tuck or a complex hernia repair cannot have a DIEP or SIEA flap breast reconstruction. This is because the lower tummy tissue that is needed has usually been removed or moved around, and the necessary blood supply has been disrupted.Having said that, most of the time previous abdominal surgery isn't an issue in experienced hands.Many women these days have...
Source: Breast Cancer Reconstruction Blog - October 21, 2014 Category: Cancer & Oncology Tags: breast reconstruction bulging c-section complications CT angiogram diep flap candidate hernia hysterectomy siea flap TRAM flap tummy tuck ultrasound Source Type: blogs
Who is NOT a DIEP flap candidate?
With more women becoming aware of DIEP flap breast reconstruction as an option, the question of who is and who isn't a good DIEP flap candidate is coming up more often.As a general rule, women that have had extensive abdominal surgery like a previous TRAM flap, tummy tuck or a complex hernia repair cannot have a DIEP or SIEA flap breast reconstruction. This is because the lower tummy tissue that is needed has usually been removed or moved around, and the necessary blood supply has been disrupted.Having said that, most of the time previous abdominal surgery isn't an issue in experienced hands.Many women these days have...
Source: Breast Cancer Reconstruction Blog - October 21, 2014 Category: Cancer & Oncology Tags: breast reconstruction bulging c-section complications CT angiogram diep flap candidate hernia hysterectomy siea flap TRAM flap tummy tuck ultrasound Source Type: blogs
What Does Flap Breast Reconstruction Involve?
If you're considering breast reconstruction using your own tissue (a "flap" procedure), it's important to know that achieving the best results usually involves several stages and takes time.BEFORE skin-sparing mastectomies and DIEP flapsAFTER skin-sparing mastectomies and DIEP flapsThe patient in the pictures above required the following stages to complete her breast reconstruction:Stage 1: The Initial Breast ReconstructionWhenever possible, breast reconstruction should be performed at the same time as the mastectomy. This is known as "immediate breast reconstruction". This allows for less scarring because the na...
Source: Breast Cancer Reconstruction Blog - August 20, 2014 Category: Cancer Tags: breast reconstruction stages delayed breast reconstruction DIEP flap immediate breast reconstruction nipple-sparing mastectomy skin-sparing mastectomy what does breast reconstruction involve? Source Type: blogs
PRMA performs 5,000th Microsurgical Breast Reconstruction
Congratulations PRMA!5,000 microsurgical breast reconstructions... and counting.I couldn't be more proud of the team!Dr C*****PRMA specializes in state-of-the-art breast reconstruction. We routinely welcome patients from across and outside the US and are are In-Network for most US insurance plans. Please call (800) 692-5565 or emailpatientadvocate@PRMAplasticsurgery.com to learn more about your breast reconstruction options. Connect with other breast cancer patients in ourbreast reconstruction community on Facebook.***** (Source: Breast Cancer Reconstruction Blog)
Source: Breast Cancer Reconstruction Blog - April 13, 2014 Category: Cancer & Oncology Tags: breast reconstruction options microsurgical breast reconstruction prma Source Type: blogs
PRMA performs 5,000th Microsurgical Breast Reconstruction
Congratulations PRMA!5,000 microsurgical breast reconstructions... and counting.I couldn't be more proud of the team!Dr C*****PRMA specializes in state-of-the-art breast reconstruction. We routinely welcome patients from across and outside the US and are are In-Network for most US insurance plans. Please call (800) 692-5565 or email patientadvocate@PRMAplasticsurgery.com to learn more about your breast reconstruction options. Connect with other breast cancer patients in our breast reconstruction community on Facebook.***** (Source: Breast Cancer Reconstruction Blog)
Source: Breast Cancer Reconstruction Blog - April 13, 2014 Category: Cancer Tags: breast reconstruction options microsurgical breast reconstruction prma Source Type: blogs
BRCA 1 & 2 Gene Testing: What Does A Positive Test Mean And Should You Get Tested?
The BRCA 1 and 2 gene mutations, and a handful of other (rarer) gene mutations, account for about 10% of all breast cancer cases. The abnormal genes affect about 1 in 400 people and can be inherited from either or both parents.BRCA gene mutations increase the lifetime risk of breast cancer in women to between 50 and 87% (depending on the study). The lifetime risk of breast cancer in the general population is about 12%.Due to the publicity BRCA has received in the media lately, most people think it only affects women. That's not true. Men can be affected too. Men carrying an abnormal BRCA gene have a 5-10% risk of getting b...
Source: Breast Cancer Reconstruction Blog - February 1, 2014 Category: Cancer Tags: BRCA BRCA1 BRCA2 breast cancer colon fallopian tube family history of breast cancer gene mutation genetic counseling genetic testing melanoma ovarian pancreatic peritoneal Source Type: blogs
Has Your Partner Been Diagnosed With Breast Cancer?
In the vast majority of cases, a breast cancer diagnosis affects more than one person. All the focus understandably centers around the patient in formulating the best treatment plan. However, as physicians, I feel we generally do a bad job of considering the patient's support system, and the primary caregiver in particular.Following one of my patients' breast cancer diagnosis, mastectomy and reconstruction, I asked her husband how he was coping and if there was any way we could be of more help.He told me: "You're the first one who's even asked me how I'm doing. There's no manual. I can't fix this. I have a million thoughts...
Source: Breast Cancer Reconstruction Blog - December 17, 2013 Category: Cancer Tags: breast cancer diagnosis helpful helpless manual mastectomy partner reconstruction resources Source Type: blogs
