Connect with us

Medical doctors and Surgeons

Rebuild the breast to return to everyday life

Published

on

«Breast cancer is a curable and treatable neoplasm».

Doctor Umberto Cortinovis, specialist in reconstructive and aesthetic plastic surgery, has been dealing for twenty five years with post-oncologic reconstructive surgery at the National Institute for Tumours of Milano. During his career he has been able to experiment the innovation of care, materials and tools for oncology patients treatment.

The importance of mammal reconstruction

«In Italy 370.000 casi di tumore are diagnosed every year» explains Cortinovis. In particular, 55.000 cancers of the breast removal are done, tumor that hits one in eight women. «Also men are affected by this pathology,- explains the surgeon –  according to data about 500 cases of cancer are diagnosed on mammary glands in men».

Doctor Umberto Cortinovis, specialist in reconstructive and aesthetic plastic surgery

Despite the alarming data: «survival stands over 80% of cases» specifies the surgeon. Together with the surgery it is fundamental to reconstruct: «reconstructive surgery must be an integral part of oncologic breast treatment» specifies Cortinovis. 

This way we help the patient to respond better to treatment, especially when the reconstructive process is going to take time. «Normally, with the techniques we have available, it is always possible to reconstruct the breast» explains Cortinovis. Also when the variables to be taken into account are many also depending on the mastectomy or quadrantectomy kind, it is possible to immediately reconstruct or secondly to the asportation. «You can resort to different techniques like the use of expanders, prosthesis or using the patient’s tissue to do the reconstruction» continues the surgeon.

Especially when patients underwent radiotherapy it is better to prefer not treated tissues for breast reconstruction. The two main techniques are: the surgery of the great dorsal muscle or of the rectus abdominis muscle flap.

«Any method used it is important to keep in mind the patient’s wishes – adds the surgeon – and remember that each woman gives a different meaning to her breast».

Look into the future

«Sometimes the future is already our present» explains Cortinovis. As a matter of fact, there already are many news linked to oncologic treatment, especially regarding the materials. «Companies help progress thanks to research work» continues Cortinovis, identifying new supports for prosthesis composed of dermis, titanium meshes or plasma electric knives. Also regenerative medicine plays an important role in the battle against breast cancer, thanks to the lipofilling technique, obtained by fat centrifugation procedures of adipose tissue that is afterwards reimplanted.

These news affect the reconstructed patients’ lives, because they can go back to their social, professional and family contest. As the quality of life definition of OMS in 1848 reminds us: “Health is the complete state of physical, psychological and social wellness, not only the lack of illness”. «The reconstructive choice must be an interaction between oncologic necessities, surgical knowledge, cosmetic possibilities and the patient’s wish. In order to achieve a better result with the least discomfort» concludes the surgeon.

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Raccontaci la tua esperienza

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

ADVERTISEMENT

blefaroplastica
Medical doctors and Surgeons5 days ago

Blepharoplasty: the gaze of youth

ginecomastia
Medical doctors and Surgeons2 weeks ago

Facing Gynecomastia. From psychological discomfort to rebirth

volto gualdi
Medical doctors and Surgeons3 weeks ago

Face and the aesthetic surgery: a conversation with professor Alessandro Gualdi 

Gontero un baffo per la ricerca
Medical doctors and Surgeons4 weeks ago

A “Moustache” against male cancers

laparoscopica
Medical doctors and Surgeons1 month ago

Laparoscopic surgery: from traditional techniques to robotics

Revée pills1 month ago

Paddling for health: the benefits of rowing for breast cancer operated women

rete oncologica
Medical doctors and Surgeons1 month ago

Rete Oncologica and the manifesto against pain

Revée pills1 month ago

One hundred years of Aerospace Medicine in Italy

infermieri
Associations2 months ago

Oncology nurses in breast care: the evolution of treatment

paziente
Medical doctors and Surgeons2 months ago

Biganzoli, the patient is the centre of therapy

Oncoplastica
Medical doctors and Surgeons2 months ago

Oncoplastic conservative surgery for breast cancer

Day Scar
Revée pills2 months ago

DayScar: the scar treatment protocol enters a mobile app

Ereditarietà
Medical doctors and Surgeons2 months ago

Heredity in breast cancer. How crucial is it? The opinion of the oncologist Nicola Rocco

Medical doctors and Surgeons3 months ago

Calabrese: the importance of radiology in prevention

sciamanna
Associations3 months ago

Sciamanna, the rights for cancer patients in Italy

cataliotti
Medical doctors and Surgeons3 months ago

Senonetwork Italy, Cataliotti and breast cancer

carlucci
Medical doctors and Surgeons3 months ago

Carlucci, correcting the tuberous breast

Seno
Revée pills3 months ago

Breasts

abdomen
Revée pills4 months ago

Abdomen

Ereditarietà
Medical doctors and Surgeons2 months ago

Heredity in breast cancer. How crucial is it? The opinion of the oncologist Nicola Rocco

Day Scar
Revée pills2 months ago

DayScar: the scar treatment protocol enters a mobile app

carlucci
Medical doctors and Surgeons3 months ago

Carlucci, correcting the tuberous breast

cataliotti
Medical doctors and Surgeons3 months ago

Senonetwork Italy, Cataliotti and breast cancer

sciamanna
Associations3 months ago

Sciamanna, the rights for cancer patients in Italy

Medical doctors and Surgeons3 months ago

Calabrese: the importance of radiology in prevention

Oncoplastica
Medical doctors and Surgeons2 months ago

Oncoplastic conservative surgery for breast cancer

infermieri
Associations2 months ago

Oncology nurses in breast care: the evolution of treatment

Revée pills1 month ago

Paddling for health: the benefits of rowing for breast cancer operated women

paziente
Medical doctors and Surgeons2 months ago

Biganzoli, the patient is the centre of therapy

laparoscopica
Medical doctors and Surgeons1 month ago

Laparoscopic surgery: from traditional techniques to robotics

Gontero un baffo per la ricerca
Medical doctors and Surgeons4 weeks ago

A “Moustache” against male cancers

rete oncologica
Medical doctors and Surgeons1 month ago

Rete Oncologica and the manifesto against pain

Revée pills1 month ago

One hundred years of Aerospace Medicine in Italy

volto gualdi
Medical doctors and Surgeons3 weeks ago

Face and the aesthetic surgery: a conversation with professor Alessandro Gualdi 

ginecomastia
Medical doctors and Surgeons2 weeks ago

Facing Gynecomastia. From psychological discomfort to rebirth

blefaroplastica
Medical doctors and Surgeons5 days ago

Blepharoplasty: the gaze of youth