Unregistered User If this is not your name, click here.
		Contact Us | Order Now | Journals | Bookstore | Register a colleague
	Select a ChannelAcneAIDS and HIVAllergy OtherAlzheimer'sAnaesthesiology OtherAngina Pectoris/MIAnxietyArthritis OtherAsthmaBack PainBacterial InfectionsBladder CancerBone Marrow TransplantationBreast CancerCardiology OtherCataractCell TransplantationCervical CancerCholesterol/Lipid disordersCirrhosisClinical PharmacologyColorectal CancerCongestive Heart FailureContact DermatitisContraceptionCOPDCystic FibrosisDental and Oral DisordersDepressionDermatology OtherDiabetesDialysisEating DisordersElbowEmergency MedicineEndocrinology OtherEpilepsyErectile DysfunctionFibromyalgiaGastro OtherGeneticsGenitourinary OtherGeriatricsGERD/GastritisGlaucomaH. Pylori/UlcerHaematology OtherHair LossHeadachesHepa/Biliary OtherHepatitisHipHRTHypertensionIBDImmunologyInfectious OtherInfertilityIntensive CareIrritable Bowel SyndromeKneeLeukemiasLiver CancerLung CancerLupusLymphomasMelanomaMenopauseMultiple Sclerosis Nephrology OtherNeurologic OtherNutritional / Metabolic OtherOb/Gyn OtherObesityOncology OtherOphth. OtherOphthalmic SurgeryOrgan TransplantationOrthopaedics OtherOsteoarthritisOsteoporosisOtitisOtorhino. OtherOvarian CancerPaediatricsPainPancreatic CancerParkinson'sPregnancyProstate CancerPsychiatry OtherPulmonary OtherRadiologyRenal CancerRenal FailureRespiratory InfectionsRheumatoid arthritisRheumatology OtherRhinitisSchizophreniaShoulderSleep ApnoeaSleep DisordersSpineStrokeSTDsSurgeryThyroid DisordersTransfusionTransplant Surgery OtherTraumaUrinary IncontinenceUrinary tract infectionsVaccinologyVascular DisordersViral Infections

SEARCH   News Bookstore Medline The Web Meetings & Congresses Complete Doctor's Guide    EXPLORE :    All News   All Webcasts   All Cases   All Meetings & Congresses   All Medical Resources New drugs / indications English Dictionary Medical Dictionary Thesaurus Warning | Privacy | Awards  Favourite Journals  Click here to choose your favourite journals  Favourite Sites  Click here to choose your favourite sites  Languages  Select languageEnglishFrançais

Technique Provides New Option for Breast Reconstruction After Radiation Therapy PHILADELPHIA -- January 31, 2012 -- For patients with breast cancer who have undergone radiation therapy, a new technique consisting of fat injection followed by implant placement may provide a much-needed alternative for breast reconstruction, according to a study published in the February issue of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. “Fat grafting seems to reduce the radiation-induced complications in implants,” according to Salgarello Marzja, MD, University Hospital “A. Gemelli,” Rome, Italy, and colleagues. With further study, the combination technique may offer women who have undergone radiation therapy an effective new reconstructive option. Dr. Marzja and colleagues investigated the use of fat grafting to achieve better results with implant-based breast reconstruction after surgery plus radiation therapy for breast cancer. Because of an increased risk of complications, women who have undergone radiation therapy are usually not considered for reconstruction using implants. Over a 3-year period, researchers used the combination technique in 16 patients who underwent surgery followed by radiation therapy for breast cancer. Eleven patients underwent mastectomy and 5 had lumpectomy or other types of breast-conserving surgery. Reconstruction began at least 3 to 6 months after the completion of radiation therapy. In the fat grafting technique, fat was obtained by liposuction from one part of the body and injected into the radiation-treated area. The goal was to provide a “bed” of healthy tissue in the chest wall or remaining breast to receive the implant. All patients received 2 or 3 fat grafts. The final reconstruction, including implant placement, was performed only when the area was free of signs of radiation toxicity. The results of the staged reconstruction technique were highly encouraging. The final appearance of the reconstructed breasts was rated excellent to good in 94% of patients. Patient satisfaction was rated high to very high. At an average follow-up of 15 months, there were no complications. All patients had good healing of the tissues surrounding the implant. Adding radiation therapy after breast cancer surgery reduces the risk of recurrent breast cancer and increases the chances of survival. In response to recently revised treatment guidelines, the number of patients undergoing surgery followed by radiation for breast cancer is likely to increase significantly in the years ahead. However, radiation has toxic effects on tissues that can cause problems with healing. Women who have undergone radiation therapy are at increased risk of complications after breast reconstruction using implants. As a result autologous reconstruction using the women’s own tissues is often their only option for breast reconstruction. Although experience is limited so far, the new report suggests that initial fat grafting may enable successful implant-based reconstruction for the growing number of women who have undergone radiation therapy for breast cancer. “Fat grafting seems to reduce the radiation-induced complications in implants,” the authors concluded. “However, larger studies with a longer follow-up are required to confirm our findings.” SOURCE: Wolters Kluwer Health: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins E-mail this page to a friend or colleague! To print, use this version