The skin sparing mastectomy offers a more cosmetically attractive result. Here are some things to think about.
When a woman has one or both breasts removed,
opting for the skin sparing mastectomy is a way of obtaining a more attractive result cosmetically. Breast cancer has become a major type of carcinoma in women in the United States. In fact, it is second only to fatal cancerous tumors within the lungs. Over 200,000 females in America are diagnosed with abnormal carcinoma cells within their breasts each year. The earlier this disease is found, the more likely that she will be cured successfully. There are various diagnostic tools to detect it and multiple ways to cure it, as well. Here are some things to think about:
• Detection: The earlier cancer can be detected, the better off the patient will be. Some of the methods include mammograms, MRIs, ultrasound and biopsies.
• Mammograms: Mammograms are x-rays of tissue designed to find tiny changes and problematic issues. A baseline mammogram is usually taken when a woman is approximately forty so that the physicians can have a frame of reference when looking at future images.
• MRIs: M.R.I. stands for magnetic resonance imaging. This is another way of obtaining views of the internal workings of a human body in order to diagnose diseases. Rather than being one photo, MRIs images appear as slices of the interior.
• Ultrasound: Ultrasounds also give doctors a peak into the body via sound waves. This tool is used for a variety of purposes.
• Biopsies: Making an incision to remove tissue in order to perform lab tests is referred to as taking a biopsy.
• Treatment: If a patient is diagnosed with cancer, she may opt for a variety of treatment options including mastectomy, chemotherapy and radiation. Some of these may be combined for a combination treatment.
• Mastectomy: Mastectomies are surgeries to remove diseased tissue. In a skin sparing mastectomy, the nipple region, including the areola, would be removed. The surgeon would then cut away cancerous tissue via this opening. This technique allows much of the external skin to remain intact. This leaves a more attractive result and a viable site for reconstruction methods.
• Chemotherapy: Chemotherapy treatment consists of a round of chemical medications designed to kill abnormal cancerous cells. There are various substances that can achieve this and the type chosen would depend on the type of cancer a patient has been diagnosed with. Chemo is delivered via injection, I.V.s, pills or through pumps that periodically inject the drugs into a person's vein. While this method is effective, it also has its share of adverse side effects such as loss of hair, nausea and overall discomfort similar to having the flu.
• Radiation: Radiation is delivered in much the same way as x-rays. Radioactive waves are delivered via machinery to kill off the disease. It doesn't hurt as it's happening and is highly effective.
When a woman is diagnosed with breast cancer, the earlier treatment can begin, the better her prognosis for beating the disease. Early screening methods are very beneficial so that treating the disease by chemo, radiation and skin sparing mastectomy can be viable options.
