In the process of breast cancer treatment, women not only face the threat of the disease but also bear the psychological pressure of changes in body image. Today, with continuous breakthroughs in medical technology, nipple-areola complex sparing mastectomy with breast reconstruction offers a new treatment option for breast cancer patients, allowing them to regain confidence and beauty while overcoming the disease.
Challenges in Breast Cancer Treatment
Chemotherapy Effective, Yet Body Image Becomes a Challenge
In April this year, Ms. Ou was diagnosed with locally advanced breast cancer in her right breast. Faced with this sudden blow, she resolutely chose active treatment. After a series of examinations, she came to the HeYou Breast Cancer Multidisciplinary Diagnosis and Treatment Center, becoming one of the first patients there to receive neoadjuvant therapy for breast cancer and undergo successful surgery.
Neoadjuvant therapy involves administering systemic chemotherapy before local treatments such as surgery or radiation therapy. Its goal is to shrink the tumor, reduce the stage, thereby providing surgical opportunities for patients who were initially inoperable, while also increasing the possibility of breast-conserving surgery. Through this approach, doctors can also observe the tumor's response to the drugs, providing a basis for subsequent treatment.
Throughout the treatment, Ms. Ou fully cooperated with the doctor's plan. After several cycles of neoadjuvant chemotherapy, the breast and axillary lesions significantly shrank, showing remarkable efficacy. However, due to the large size and multiplicity of the lesions at initial diagnosis, she still faced the real challenge of mastectomy, which caused her significant psychological distress.
Breaking Through Traditional Treatment
Nipple-Areola Complex Sparing: Achieving Both Health and Beauty
Facing the patient's dilemma, Chief Expert of the HeYou Breast Cancer Multidisciplinary Diagnosis and Treatment Center, Dr. Wang Xiaohua, proposed a solution: performing a nipple-areola complex sparing mastectomy with breast reconstruction for Ms. Ou.
This procedure involves removing the breast tissue while preserving the nipple-areola complex and implanting a prosthetic device. This helps patients reshape a natural breast contour during physical recovery. The size and shape of the implant can be customized according to the patient's needs to meet individual aesthetic requirements.
On the day of surgery, Ms. Ou entered the operating room with anxiety, but a few hours later, she heard the good news of a "successful surgery." Postoperatively, she was very satisfied with the appearance of her breast—the preservation of the nipple-areola complex gave the breast a natural look, even more aesthetically pleasing than before the surgery. This not only enhanced her psychological comfort but also boosted her confidence.
After surgery, Ms. Ou continued to receive precision radiation therapy, and her recovery process went smoothly. Dr. Wang stated: "Through the combined treatment of neoadjuvant chemotherapy, breast reconstruction surgery, and radiation therapy, the patient's prognosis is significantly improved."
Breast Cancer Prevention and Treatment
Comprehensive Health Protection from Prevention to Treatment
Breast cancer is one of the most common malignant tumors in women worldwide. Its causes are complex, including genetic factors, unhealthy lifestyles, hormonal imbalances, and environmental influences. To address these risks, we can adopt a three-tier prevention strategy:
Primary Prevention: Reduce the risk of developing the disease through a healthy diet, regular exercise, and other lifestyle measures.
Secondary Prevention: Achieve early detection and early treatment through medical check-ups and early screening to improve quality of life.
Tertiary Prevention: Provide standardized treatment for diagnosed patients to reduce the risk of recurrence and metastasis, thereby improving survival rates.
Early Detection of Breast Cancer
Recognizing Symptoms to Seize the "Golden Window" for Treatment
The symptoms of breast cancer are relatively noticeable, and timely recognition can facilitate early intervention. These include the following manifestations:
1. Breast Lump: Hard texture, irregular borders, usually painless.
2. Skin Changes on the Breast: Such as "dimpling" or "peau d'orange" appearance.
3. Nipple or Areola Changes: Nipple retraction, deviation, or abnormal discharge.
4. Axillary Lymph Node Enlargement: May indicate tumor cell spread.
For patients with advanced-stage disease, such as those with large tumors or positive axillary lymph nodes, neoadjuvant therapy is one of the most effective strategies. Through a combination of chemotherapy, radiation therapy, endocrine therapy, and targeted therapy, it can provide surgical opportunities for patients and improve survival rates. Data shows that with standardized treatment, even patients with locally advanced disease can achieve a 5-year survival rate of up to 90%.
Breast cancer does not necessarily mean mastectomy. Scientific treatment plans offer patients more options. The HeYou Breast Cancer Multidisciplinary Treatment Team will continue to dedicate itself to providing personalized, multidisciplinary collaborative treatment services for breast cancer patients, enabling them to achieve both health and beauty and confidence on their journey against cancer.
-----------------------
Author of this article >>> Huang Hailin, General Surgeon
(Special thanks to Professor Lu Jiade, Vice President of HeYou Hospital, and Chief Physician Wang Xiaohua from the Department of General Surgery for their professional guidance on this article.)
