Eligibility For Breast Conservation Therapy
A long time ago, patients with breast cancer often have to undergo removal of their breasts to take out the cancer through breast cancer surgery in Dallas. These days, the cancer may be removed without having to remove the breast itself. This is what is called breast conservation therapy or BCT for short. This treatment is not exactly new. It has been successfully used to treat breast cancer among eligible patients for the past 40 years. But as mentioned, there is a certain level of eligibility among breast cancer patients in order to choose this treatment. BCT is not for everyone.
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 cosmetic grading system for a breast after breast conservation therapy. The first grade is when the breast hardly looks like it went through surgery. Grade 2 up to grade 4 show graduated changes such as thickening of the skin, scarring (fibrosis), and open sores (ulceration). Most breast conservation patients fall under Grade 1 and 2 categories.
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%.
Conclusion
Even with the high success rate of breast conservation therapy, most women choose mastectomy. Through an effective information awareness campaign, it is possible to lessen the emotional trauma and save women from having to lose their breast unnecessarily. Breast conservation therapy has been proven to be safe, and that is what should be emphasized together with its effectiveness in treating breast cancer.
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 cosmetic grading system for a breast after breast conservation therapy. The first grade is when the breast hardly looks like it went through surgery. Grade 2 up to grade 4 show graduated changes such as thickening of the skin, scarring (fibrosis), and open sores (ulceration). Most breast conservation patients fall under Grade 1 and 2 categories.
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%.
Conclusion
Even with the high success rate of breast conservation therapy, most women choose mastectomy. Through an effective information awareness campaign, it is possible to lessen the emotional trauma and save women from having to lose their breast unnecessarily. Breast conservation therapy has been proven to be safe, and that is what should be emphasized together with its effectiveness in treating breast cancer.
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