Breast reconstruction surgery, a procedure to rebuild the shape of the breast following surgical cancer treatment, can have a positive impact on the emotional and psychosocial well-being of cancer survivors. Reconstructive surgeries following breast cancer treatment, also known as oncoplastic surgery, have many benefits that benefit quality of life.
Breast reconstruction offers a sense of relief and comfort, allowing women to regain their breast shape. This often leads to a significant improvement in the way many breast cancer survivors feel about their appearance and body. Without reconstruction, patients may experience an imbalance between the left and right side of the chest or an improper fit of clothing. Women choosing to forgo a reconstruction may need to use an external prosthesis to maintain the appearance of breast shape before cancer treatment.
Advances in oncoplastic procedures have limited adverse effects associated with reconstruction, such as reducing scarring and pain following the operation. The analogous reconstruction technique allows surgeons to remove tissue, fat, muscle, and even blood vessels from other parts of the body to rebuild the breast with a natural look and feel. These complex procedures require specialized surgeons but can still take multiple post-operative revisions to achieve the desired results. Hence, efforts to develop streamlined approaches and make it easier for women to undergo effective and efficient breast reconstruction remain necessary to ensure the best care for all breast cancer survivors.
Earlier this week, the University of Houston announced its ambitious project to develop and implement new, more efficient strategies for breast reconstruction after cancer. This groundbreaking project, supported by a $2.7 million grant from the National Institutes of Health, involves a multi-institutional research team. Their goal is to design personalized molds for breast cancer patients undergoing reconstructive surgery, a development that could revolutionize the field of oncoplastic surgery.
The goal of this project revolves around designing patient-specific molds that doctors can use to shape the tissue during reconstruction, achieving a look akin to the patient’s breasts pre-surgery. The University of Huston’s press release describes the intended steps in their reconstructive surgical procedure. Patients will undergo an “enhanced clinical consultation”, which includes a detailed discussion about the patient's preferences, expectations, and any concerns they may have, to determine personal preferences for breast shape and size post-surgery. Next, a surgeon and engineer will collaborate to select a three-dimensional image that best suits the patient’s desired shape and size. The image will then undergo modifications to design a personalized mold for the patient. Using a 3D printer, the doctors will then produce a patient-specific mold before the procedure begins.
The researchers are confident that the use of algorithm-driven breast molds will significantly reduce the cost, pain, and risk associated with oncoplastic surgery. Importantly, these new methods will alleviate the burden on patients by reducing the number of procedures they have to undergo. By minimizing, or even eliminating, revisions needed to achieve the desired result, these new methods will make the journey to recovery smoother and less stressful for breast cancer survivors.
Sources: Breast Care, University of Houston, World J Clin Cases