Understanding Breast Cancer

Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers affecting women worldwide. Understanding the disease is the first step towards effective treatment and reconstruction.
Breast cancer begins when cells in the breast grow out of control, forming a tumor that can often be felt as a lump or seen on an imaging test. It can start in different parts of the breast, and its severity ranges from early-stage localized tumors to advanced metastatic cancer.
Treatment options typically include surgery (lumpectomy or mastectomy), radiation, chemotherapy, and hormone therapy.
Each treatment affects the breast differently, which plays a crucial role in determining the type of reconstruction most suitable for the patient.
Choosing breast reconstruction is a personal decision and involves understanding the potential benefits and limitations of various reconstructive options.

Conservative breast treatment combines lumpectomy with radiotherapy. Indications depends on the tumor's size and the volume of the breast.
Lumpectomy involves removing the tumor along with a margin of healthy tissue, aiming to preserve as much of the breast as possible.
Radiotherapy is essential for the remaining breast tissue to reduce the risk of recurrence.
A lumpectomy should be accompanied by oncoplastic surgery to minimize post-treatment breast deformities.

Mastectomy involves removing the entire breast gland.
A mastectomy can be followed by immediate breast reconstruction. In this case, the skin of the breast, and sometimes the areola and nipple, may be preserved.
Immediate breast reconstruction can be performed using either a flap or an implant.
Reconstruction can also be performed in a delayed fashion.