A woman who has surgery to treat breast cancer might choose to have additional surgery to rebuild the shape and look of her breast. This is called breast reconstruction surgery. If you are thinking about having this done, it is best to talk about it with your surgeon and a plastic surgeon experienced in breast reconstruction before you have surgery to remove the tumor or breast. This lets the surgical teams plan the best treatment for you, even if you decide to wait and have reconstructive surgery later.
Reasons for breast reconstruction
A woman might choose to have breast reconstruction for many reasons:
- To make her chest look balanced when she is wearing a bra or swimsuit
- To help make clothes fit better
- To permanently regain her breast shape
- So she won’t have to use a breast form that fits inside the bra (an external prosthesis)
- To feel better about her body
Breast reconstruction often leaves scars, but they usually fade over time. Newer techniques have also reduced the amount of scarring. When you’re wearing a bra, your breasts should be alike enough in size and shape to let you feel comfortable about how you look in most types of clothes.
After a mastectomy, breast reconstruction can make you feel better about how you look and renew your self-confidence. But keep in mind that the reconstructed breast will not be a perfect match or substitute for your natural breast. If tissue from your tummy, back, or buttocks was used as part of the reconstruction, those areas will also look different after surgery. Talk with your surgeon about scars and changes in shape or contour. Ask where they will be, and how they will look and feel after they heal.
Risks of breast reconstruction
Common potential side effects and risks of reconstruction surgery can be found in what to expect after breast reconstruction surgery.
Certain types of breast implants can be linked to a rare kind of cancer, known as anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL) which is not a type of breast cancer. It is sometimes referred to as breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL). This lymphoma develops around 8 to 10 years after the implant was placed and more often if the implants have textured (rough) surfaces rather than smooth surfaces. If ALCL does show up after an implant, it can show as a collection of fluid near the implant, a lump, pain, swelling or asymmetry (uneven breasts).
Early-stage disease is often treated by surgical removal of the implant and capsule while more advanced disease requires chemotherapy. Radiation may be used in certain cases. Prognosis (outcome) is usually better in women with early-stage disease.
Can breast reconstruction hide cancer or make it come back?
Studies show that reconstruction does not make breast cancer come back. If the cancer does come back, reconstructed breasts should not cause problems finding the cancer or treating it. If you are thinking about breast reconstruction, either with an implant or flap, you need to know that reconstruction rarely, hides a return of breast cancer. You should not consider this a big risk when deciding to have breast reconstruction.
