Some Breast Cancer Patients Unhappy With Lumpectomy

Women with breast cancer often undergo a lumpectomy and radiation to save their breasts and avoid the need for additional reconstructive surgery. However, approximately one-third of all patients are unhappy with how their breasts look after undergoing breast conservation treatment and a number of would consider reconstruction, as per a research studypresented today at the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) Plastic Surgery 2006 conference in San Francisco.

"I have patients walking into my office saying lumpectomy was supposed to save their breast but what's left doesn't look like a breast to them," said Howard Wang, ASPS Member Surgeon and co-author of the study. "Conservation is thought to bean acceptable way of saving a woman's breast. But a number of of these women are coming to plastic surgeons for help, saying it isn't so".

In the study, 28 percent of the patients with breast cancer stated they were dissatisfied with the cosmetic result of their lumpectomy. Of those patients, 46 percent stated their physical appearance was worse or much worse after the surgery and were considering reconstruction. Only nine percent of patients who were satisfied with the outcome, however, would consider reconstruction if it were offered.

Approximately 26 percent of patients were unhappy with their physical appearance after the lumpectomy but had an improved sense of body image. Plastic surgeons believe this disparity occurred because a number of patients felt relieved to be free of the cancer, leading them to feel better about their bodies even though they were not happy with how their breasts looked.

As per the American Cancer Society, almost 213,000 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year. Almost 58,000 women underwent breast reconstruction surgery in 2005, as per ASPS.

"Patients should know their options and understand that just because they undergo a lumpectomy to save their breast does not mean they will be happy with the cosmetic outcome," said Dr. Wang. "Oncologists need to work with patients to help them understand the potential physical outcomes and refer them to a board-certified plastic surgeon to consider all of their choices".


Posted by: Janet    Source