Breast cancer affects the life of 1 in 8 women in some way at any given time. One of the things that bother women in breast cancer surgeries is the complete loss of the breast. Removing the entire breast makes patients unhappy aesthetically. Prof. Dr. Özcan Gökçe, Head of the Department of General Surgery at Yeditepe University Hospitals, and Yeditepe University Kozyatağı Hospital Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery Specialist, stated that this problem can be prevented with nipple and breast skin-sparing mastectomy and gave important information.
“We can recommend our patients to come out of the same surgery as if they still have the breast, by preserving the nipple and skin. Thanks to the nipple and breast skin-sparing surgery, it is possible to both remove the tumor and provide aesthetics by placing a breast prosthesis in a single operation.”
There Are No Aesthetic Concerns in Nipple and Breast Skin Sparing Cancer Surgery
Stating that after the removal of the breast tumor, radiotherapy is also applied in some cases, if necessary, Prof. Dr. Özcan Gökçe gave the following information about nipple and breast skin-sparing surgery: “In the same surgery, not only is the breast removed and no breast tissue is left behind, but also an appearance as if there is a breast is achieved by placing the prosthesis. In a classical mastectomy, all breast skin and breast tissue are removed, and a straight line is formed in the chest. 20 years ago, breast surgeries were always done this way. This situation is aesthetically challenging for women. Mastectomy is now performed only in cases of necessity, such as if the tumor has invaded the entire breast skin. However, the important thing in breast cancer is to reach an early diagnosis. It is valuable to catch the tumor at an early stage and treat it, involving aesthetic breast surgery.”
Stating that they remove almost 98 percent of the breast tissue with nipple and breast skin-sparing surgery, Prof. Dr. Özcan Gökçe said, “Only a few small channels under the nipple remain. This makes up about 2% of the breast tissue. Until now, no recurrence of breast cancer has been shown to develop from these remaining channels.”
How the Breast Will Look After the Surgery Can Be Determined in Advance with 3D Simulation
Stating that by using computerized systems, 3D images of how the breast will look after the surgery can be determined, Yeditepe University Kozyatağı Hospital Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery Specialist, made the following statements: “We can show the patient how the breast will look after the surgery by simulating it in 3D on the patient and projecting it on the television. After making these plans, we go into surgery with our general surgeon on the day of surgery. First of all, our general surgeon performs nipple and breast skin-sparing mastectomy. A sampling of lymph nodes from the armpit is then performed. If the result is clear, it means that the patient will not receive radiotherapy. We apply prostheses to these patients if they will not receive radiotherapy and the breast will be protected. If there is a possibility of radiotherapy, we place the balloon, which we call the expander, under the breast.”
Patients Feel Like They Have Just Undergone Breast Reduction or Lift Surgery
Stating that there is no need for new procedures again and again after the operation, Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery Specialist said, “In the surgery, the nipple and the dark area around the nipple are preserved. After the surgery, the patients only have scars as if they had a breast reduction or lift surgery. A few days after the surgery, they can start using the phone or keyboard. We generally want patients to rest for a week. After 3 weeks, they can return to their daily work, and after 6 weeks they can do sports.”
It Is Important to Diagnose Cancer at an Early Stage
Pointing out that the most important criterion for the surgery to be successful is to catch the tumor at an early stage, Prof. Dr. Özcan Gökçe, Head of the Department of General Surgery at Yeditepe University Hospitals, said, “The most important criterion for us is catching the tumor at an early stage. For this reason, all women between the ages of 40-50 need to have mammography, ultrasonography, and examination once a year, and even for every woman to be prepared until the age of 40 with ultrasound and examination after the age of 20, and to have breast checkups. In addition, we need to know that a person with a family history of breast cancer is about 17 times more at risk. For this reason, those who have a family history of breast cancer should definitely provide the follow-up earlier. However, every woman should go through screening mammography once a year between the ages of 40-50.”