Bilateral mastectomy is more often prescribed for preventive purposes if the tumor is aggressive and hormone-dependent, which increases the likelihood of its recurrence in the second breast. Mastectomy abroad is performed by competent oncologists and mammologists with surgical specialization, who effectively cure the disease and select optimal breast reconstruction options.
Indications and mastectomy abroad
Mastectomy is one of the main fears of women who are diagnosed with breast cancer. The operation is indeed traumatic, but modern methods of performing it reduce any surgical risks to a minimum, and the abundance of restorative procedures helps to get rid of the complexes associated with the absence of one or both mammary glands.
Unfortunately, gentle surgical interventions like lumpectomy can be impractical and ineffective. And in the case of mutations of the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes, the aggressiveness of the neoplasm and the increased sensitivity of tumor cells to hormones, organ-preserving procedures can provoke a relapse. For this reason, in certain forms of cancer, doctors insist on a complete mastectomy. In some clinics, the operation is performed as a preventive measure, without a diagnosed tumor. This applies to patients with an aggravated family history and a clear hereditary predisposition.
A more rare indication for mastectomy is a widespread purulent-serous lesion of the mammary glands.
The mastectomy depends on its type:
- A simple procedure involves resection of the breast with a capsule, but without affecting the surrounding structures. It is performed in the absence of metastases to the lymph nodes and capsule, with a small tumor size and in a preventive mode.
- Subcutaneous is a gentle type of procedure in which the mammary gland is resected while preserving the nipple–areolar complex and the skin in the breast area. It is indicated for non-aggressive tumors at an early stage. It can be combined with a single-stage reconstruction (silicone or hydrogel implant placement)
- Radical surgery is the largest–scale operation in which the mammary gland, subcutaneous fat (in the chest, armpits and under the shoulder blades), and regional lymph nodes are excised. Currently, it is practically not used. It is relevant for a widespread malignant process with metastases in the lymph nodes and neighboring structures, as well as for multiple neoplasms.
- A modified version is an alternative and improved version of a radical mastectomy. It involves the removal of mammary glands, capsules, pectoralis minor muscle and part of the fiber in the chest and armpits. It is used in the presence of lymph node metastases.
Breast excision is performed under general anesthesia, and the duration of the operation ranges from 1 to 4 hours, depending on the volume of tissue being removed.
Doctors of foreign clinics try to cause minimal damage to healthy tissues and perform surgery using a minimally invasive method, using endoscopic optics.
Reconstructive surgery after mastectomy
Breast reconstruction after mastectomy is of several types:
- Simultaneous surgery is performed during surgery and involves rapid replacement of the gland with an implant. It is possible with a gentle and simple mastectomy.
- Delayed – it is performed after the final healing of the tissues and the removal of the patient into oncological remission.
Delayed reconstruction can be performed in one step, or with preparation. In the second case, the doctor places a special "bag" in the chest, which is gradually filled with saline solution. This is necessary to stretch the tissues before fixing the prosthesis. If there are enough tissues remaining after mastectomy, no prior use of an expander is required.
Foreign doctors are sympathetic to the problem of breast cancer treatment. They select optimal resection and correction tactics so that the woman feels comfortable and does not fear surgery. Foreign clinics will provide you with effective help in the fight against breast cancer and restore beautiful breasts after mastectomy.
