May 10, 2010

Oncoplasty merges cosmetic surgery with tumor removal

For women with breast cancer, removing a tumor often means removing or disfiguring the breast, something that is hard for patients to cope with. But an emerging field, oncoplasty, takes cosmetic issues into account as much as possible when dealing with oncological, or tumor-related issues.

Removing a tumor through surgery may save the life of someone diagnosed with breast cancer. But the surgery can leave scars or imperfections that may reduce the quality of life for the patient after the procedure, according to General Surgery News. Silicone-based scar treatment products are one option, which may help improve the appearance of the breast post-surgery.

"Breast cancer patients all experience anger; they’re very upset and they are really struggling to reconcile the oncologic issues—the threat to life—and the oncoplastic issues, which are really the threat to quality of life," Dr. Hiram Cody told the news source.

Cody and others are pushing for the medical field to include a plastic surgeon in consultations with the patient before surgery. While the surgeons readily admit that removal of cancer is the top priority, they warn not to underestimate the psychological effects that invasive surgery can have. They also believe that some doctors do not consider cosmetics at all and use unnecessarily disfiguring techniques in order to make the surgery easier.

Often, the recommended course of action for a patient is breast reduction surgery, which often leaves scars. Silicone gel sheeting and ointments, together with oncoplasty, can help a woman deal with the aesthetic effects of oncological surgery.ADNFCR-3015-ID-19766110-ADNFCR

 

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