Tuesday, August 23, 2011
When am I Eligible for Breast Conservation Therapy?
Breast Conservation Therapy (BTC) is a breast cancer surgery in Dallas option that seeks to eradicate the cancer without affecting the breast. BTC is highly sought by both patient and doctor as the first option because it is effective, having been used successful for over 40 years. Unfortunately, not everyone qualifies. There are certain considerations that have to be answered since over and above this treatment is concern for life.
Patient Eligibility
Back in 1990, a panel formed by the National Cancer Institute recommended using breast conservation therapy for women having stage 1 or stage 2 breast cancers, yet it is still not a widely utilized procedure. Nationally, only one-third of patients are choosing breast conservation therapy as an option, and the numbers are much lower regionally. Some of the important aspects to be discussed prior to the procedure are the expected cosmetic results, the side effects from radiation (both short and long-term), and the impending need for follow-up examinations and testing. Breast conservation therapy patient selection takes the pathological characteristics of the tumor and the ability to achieve clear margins into account.
What You Can Expect Your Breast To Look Like After BCT
Breast cancer surgeons in Dallas have a grading system for patients who have undergone breast conservation therapy. If the patient's breasts hardly looks like it had gone under the knife and there are very subtle changes, then the patient is classified under the first grade. On the other hand, a patient under the classification of grades 2 to 4 might show graduated changes, depending on the grade, Some thickening of the skin, scarring, and even open sores can be expected. The good news however is that breast conservation patients often end up with just a grade 1 or grade 2 category.
Small studies have been done that indicate the success of breast conversation therapy on large breasted women. Although the tumor to breast size is favorable, they do see a higher occurrence of size discrepancy and fibrosis. A review panel of over 300 women shows the side effects to be worse for large breasted women with 20% seeing a superficial skin breakout. Despite these results, breast conservation therapy is still highly recommended as the preferred treatment for patients with larger breasts.
As for implants after surgery to augment the breast, doctors will not recommend this if BCT has been done. The most serious problem that could arise is movement of the implant over time which can cause intense pain and chronic fixation. The chances of this happening in BCT patients is as high as 40%.
Summary
Breast conservation therapy has been around for a while but a lot of women are still not familiar with it. What is needed is an effective information awareness campaign to enlighten breast cancer patients about an alternative to a mastectomy. Women need not lose their breasts unnecessarily. With breast conservation therapy, there is now an effective alternative.
Patient Eligibility
Back in 1990, a panel formed by the National Cancer Institute recommended using breast conservation therapy for women having stage 1 or stage 2 breast cancers, yet it is still not a widely utilized procedure. Nationally, only one-third of patients are choosing breast conservation therapy as an option, and the numbers are much lower regionally. Some of the important aspects to be discussed prior to the procedure are the expected cosmetic results, the side effects from radiation (both short and long-term), and the impending need for follow-up examinations and testing. Breast conservation therapy patient selection takes the pathological characteristics of the tumor and the ability to achieve clear margins into account.
What You Can Expect Your Breast To Look Like After BCT
Breast cancer surgeons in Dallas have a grading system for patients who have undergone breast conservation therapy. If the patient's breasts hardly looks like it had gone under the knife and there are very subtle changes, then the patient is classified under the first grade. On the other hand, a patient under the classification of grades 2 to 4 might show graduated changes, depending on the grade, Some thickening of the skin, scarring, and even open sores can be expected. The good news however is that breast conservation patients often end up with just a grade 1 or grade 2 category.
Small studies have been done that indicate the success of breast conversation therapy on large breasted women. Although the tumor to breast size is favorable, they do see a higher occurrence of size discrepancy and fibrosis. A review panel of over 300 women shows the side effects to be worse for large breasted women with 20% seeing a superficial skin breakout. Despite these results, breast conservation therapy is still highly recommended as the preferred treatment for patients with larger breasts.
As for implants after surgery to augment the breast, doctors will not recommend this if BCT has been done. The most serious problem that could arise is movement of the implant over time which can cause intense pain and chronic fixation. The chances of this happening in BCT patients is as high as 40%.
Summary
Breast conservation therapy has been around for a while but a lot of women are still not familiar with it. What is needed is an effective information awareness campaign to enlighten breast cancer patients about an alternative to a mastectomy. Women need not lose their breasts unnecessarily. With breast conservation therapy, there is now an effective alternative.
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