MedWorm provides a medical RSS filtering service. Over 6000 RSS medical sources are combined and output via different filters. This feed contains the latest medical blog items that have been tagged with 'breast cancer surgery'. Sat, 03 Sep 2011 02:38:19 +0100 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4813614&cid=t_137729_136_f&fid=36032&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.everydayhealth.com%2Fblog%2Flife-with-breast-cancer%2Fdo-we-need-a-longer-hospital-stay-after-a-mastectomy%2F Even though the scientific evidence shows that women recover just as well at home after a mastectomy, I don’t believe women should be sent home the day after surgery. In the late 1990s, the switch was made to sending women home quickly after surgery to remove a breast. The evidence suggested that women recover just as well at home as in the hospital. Prior to that decision, many women were in the hospital for several days — now it is up to doctors whether to keep a woman longer than the initial day of recovery. They need a medical reason for insurance to pay for the extended hospital stay. But the evidence doesn’t address the emotional impact that breast cancer and losing a breast has on a woman. We especially need time to assess our feelings about losing a breast before returni... Life with Breast Cancer blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4813614 Tue, 10 May 2011 17:00:14 +0100 4813614 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4789308&cid=t_137729_106_f&fid=36682&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FSutureForALiving%2F%7E3%2Fu4R23934B3k%2Fwomen-dont-regret-prophylactic.html I was alerted to the presentation at the American Society of Breast Surgeons meeting (first reference below) by Judy Boughey, MD by @MedicalNews’ tweet: ASBS: Prophylactic Mastectomy Good Even Years Later (CME/CE) http://bit.ly/kMCsdr Boughey and colleagues note that previous researchers using cross-sectional surveys have found that the majority of women are satisfied with their decision to have contralateral prophylactic mastectomy (CPM) one to several years after the procedure. Their study chose to look at the consistency of satisfaction and changes in adverse effects in the same women with longer term follow-up. To do this, they surveyed a previously established cohort of women with unilateral breast cancer who had contralateral prophylactic mastectomy at the Mayo Clinic between 19... Suture for a Living blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4789308 Thu, 05 May 2011 11:15:00 +0100 4789308 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4758777&cid=t_137729_106_f&fid=36682&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FSutureForALiving%2F%7E3%2FjQVLZDeG5Ww%2Fadvances-in-nipple-sparing-mastectomy.html There is a very nice review article of the advances in nipple-sparing mastectomy surgery in the March 2011 issue of the Aesthetic Surgery Journal (full reference below). Dr. Patrick Maxwell and colleagues includes some history of nipple-sparing mastectomy (NSM): NSM was attempted in the 1980s but never gained popularity owing to the controversies surrounding oncological safety. Now, better technologies for preoperative staging and assessment of lesion distance from the NAC, along with an increased understanding of the anatomy of the breast ducts with relation to the nipple, are encouraging a return to the concept. One of the key publications that renewed and increased enthusiasm for this technique was the multicenter publication of 192 patients undergoing NSM with only four recurrences, ... Suture for a Living blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4758777 Wed, 27 Apr 2011 11:14:00 +0100 4758777 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4565906&cid=t_137729_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fbreast-reconstruction-after-mastectomy-are-patients-making-good-decisions%2F2011.03.09 The objective of the study was to “measure women’s knowledge about reconstruction and to evaluate the degree to which treatments reflected patients’ goals and preferences.” Their conclusion (bold emphasis is mine): Women treated with mastectomy in this study were not well-informed about breast reconstruction. Treatments were associated with patients’ goals and concerns, however, and patients were highly involved in their decisions. Knowledge deficits suggest that breast cancer patients would benefit from interventions to support their decision making. Granted the study was small, but it left me wondering if we the medical community fails to educate these women.   The study involved a cross-sectional survey of early-stage breast cancer survivors from four university ... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4565906 Wed, 09 Mar 2011 13:30:00 +0100 4565906 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4298665&cid=t_137729_106_f&fid=36682&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FSutureForALiving%2F%7E3%2FiXnZzb-4qy8%2Fsurgical-treatments-for-breast-cancer.html Upper extremity lymphedema for breast cancer survivors can be a major source of morbidity. Historically, the reported incidence in breast cancer survivors after axillary lymph node dissection has ranged from 9 to 41%. Even with sentinel node biopsy, the reported incidence of upper limb lymphedema remains at 4 to 10%. Lymphedema after surgery may occur immediately but most often appears after a latent period of weeks or months. Common lymphedema symptoms are increased volume and weight of the limb and increased skin tension. Conservative therapy (complex decongestive treatment) should be the initial treatment when lymphedema is suspected or present. This includes skin care, compression garments, exercise therapy, and manual lymph drainage. An article in the December issue of the Plastic a... Suture for a Living blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4298665 Wed, 29 Dec 2010 12:16:00 +0100 4298665 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4119027&cid=t_137729_106_f&fid=36682&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FSutureForALiving%2F%7E3%2FILHR3W61RBc%2Ffiorinas-infection-highlights.html The news report of California Republican U.S. Senate Candidate Carly Fiorina’s recent hospitalization due to an infection related to her breast reconstruction is an opportunity to talk about the risks of complication associated with breast reconstruction surgery. Fiorina was diagnosed with breast cancer diagnosis in February 2009.  She was treated with chemotherapy, radiation and a double mastectomy.  I found several articles that note she had her reconstructive surgery at Stanford University Medical Center, the San Jose (Calif.) in July 2010, but none mention the reconstruction technique used. My guess would be implant based reconstruction considering how quickly she returned to campaigning.  Recovery time for a TRAM flap (free or pedicle) or any other flap based reconstr... Suture for a Living blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4119027 Thu, 28 Oct 2010 11:15:00 +0100 4119027 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4023092&cid=t_137729_136_f&fid=36032&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.everydayhealth.com%2Fblog%2Flife-with-breast-cancer%2Freal-men-face-their-breast-cancer-risk%2F Breast Cancer Awareness Month always reminds me of my responsibility to promote awareness and early detection to my girlfriends and the women that I know. I seldom consider the possibility of breast cancer affecting the men in my life, although I should, because it is very real. My boys and their cousin (Sister’s son) are at risk for breast cancer for the same reason as my nieces — their mothers are carriers of the breast cancer gene. Breast cancer in men is rare, but it does happen, and there are men at risk who may never get tested. It generally occurs in older men (between the ages of 60 and 70), and it can be due to abnormal estrogen levels or a family genetic predisposition. Breast cancer can also develop in men who have been exposed to radiation. Male breast cancer also comes... Life with Breast Cancer blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4023092 Fri, 01 Oct 2010 19:48:09 +0100 4023092 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4003392&cid=t_137729_136_f&fid=36032&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.everydayhealth.com%2Fblog%2Flife-with-breast-cancer%2Fsurgical-solutions-for-lymphedema%2F I am so happy with the results of my recent DIEP flap revision. Dr. Studinger is detailed and very attentive, and I am so fortunate to have found her. She does other plastic surgery and reconstructive procedures as well. I had the opportunity to discuss lymph node surgery with her when I had my follow-up appointment last week. Until I read her brochure, I didn’t even know that there was relief for lymphedema through surgery. Dr. Studinger is one of only a few doctors worldwide who perform successful surgery for lymph node reconstruction in the treatment of lymphedema. Every now and then I sense a little numbness in my right arm. Generally it is around the elbow and radiates to the upper arm. I know that it is because I had lymph nodes removed when I had a mastectomy of the right breast. ... Life with Breast Cancer blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4003392 Mon, 27 Sep 2010 20:13:16 +0100 4003392 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3683653&cid=t_137729_106_f&fid=36682&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FSutureForALiving%2F%7E3%2FSqAo_sCI27Q%2Fcowden-syndrome-and-breast-cancer.html I was unaware of Cowden Syndrome prior to seeing the article (full reference below) mentioned in my MDLinx Plastic/Reconstructive Surgery weekly update.  I went looking for more information. According to Genetics Home Reference website: Cowden syndrome is a rare disorder characterized by multiple noncancerous, tumor-like growths called hamartomas and an increased risk of developing certain cancers. Almost everyone with Cowden syndrome develops hamartomas. These growths are most commonly found on the skin and mucous membranes (such as the lining of the mouth and nose), but can also occur in the intestinal tract and other parts of the body. Abnormal growths on the skin and mucous membranes typically appear by a person's late twenties. People with Cowden syndrome have an increased ri... Suture for a Living blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3683653 Mon, 21 Jun 2010 11:01:00 +0100 3683653 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3193753&cid=t_137729_106_f&fid=36682&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FSutureForALiving%2F%7E3%2FKSiNN0fFZmw%2Fbreast-focused-microwave-thermotherapy.html I noticed this AP article, Microwave heat, chemotherapy combine to shrink breast cancer tumors, reduce mastectomies, in the health news earlier this week with this claim: A University of Oklahoma researcher has found that microwave heat treatment combined with chemotherapy actually kills large breast cancer tumors and could reduce the need for mastectomies by nearly 90 percent. I would love for this to turn out to be true, having begun medical school when Halsted mastectomies were still the standard of care.  Preoperative focused microwave thermotherapy (FMT) is the focus of multi-institutional clinical studies from OU, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the Los Angeles Biomedical Research Institute, the Comprehensive Breast Center of Florida and St. Joseph's Hospital in ... Suture for a Living blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3193753 Thu, 21 Jan 2010 12:01:00 +0100 3193753 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2512777&cid=t_137729_136_f&fid=38061&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FBreastCancerReconstructionBlog%2F%7E3%2Fhf5sWGT6JXo%2Fbreast-cancer-patients-may-benefit-from.html Women with breast cancer who are involved in the process of selecting their surgeon are more likely to be treated by more experienced surgeons and in hospitals with established cancer programs, according to a study published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.Surgeon and hospital characteristics can influence the outcomes of cancer treatments, the authors explain, but little is known about the factors that influence how referrals are made.Dr. Steven J. Katz from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, and colleagues used survey data from women recently diagnosed with breast cancer and their attending surgeons to determine how surgeons are selected, and if there is any association between the referral process and characteristics of the surgeon and hospital.Most women were referred to their ... Breast Cancer Reconstruction Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2512777 Sun, 21 Sep 2008 01:13:53 +0100 2512777 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1349933&cid=t_137729_136_f&fid=36032&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.healthtalk.com%2Fbreast-cancer%2Flife-with-breast-cancer%2Fwhy-do-we-always-want-to-learn-the-hard-way-the-necessity-of-rest-after-surgery%2F There are a lot of people who really dislike being laid up after surgery. I’m not one of them, I recover quickly enough and to date have had no real ill effects from surgery, but, I don’t mind being laid up. It gives me time to read and talk to friends on the phone and indulge in afternoon television. It is a good excuse to drop out for a while. Sister isn’t very good at sitting still and she was reminded just how fragile our bodies are last week. It was a week and a half after her hysterectomy, and Sister who was feeling restless accompanied her daughter for a shopping trip to the mall. I think she was fooled by the energy she was feeling and the fact that she no longer felt ill or needed pain pills. When she returned home, there was some issue of blood. It was a very real reminder ... Life with Breast Cancer blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1349933 Fri, 04 Apr 2008 00:41:27 +0100 1349933 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1338298&cid=t_137729_136_f&fid=36032&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.healthtalk.com%2Fbreast-cancer%2Flife-with-breast-cancer%2Fwhy-do-we-always-want-to-learn-the-hard-way-the-necessity-of-rest-after-surgery%2F There are a lot of people who really dislike being laid up after surgery. I’m not one of them, I recover quickly enough and to date have had no real ill effects from surgery, but, I don’t mind being laid up. It gives me time to read and talk to friends on the phone and indulge in afternoon television. It is a good excuse to drop out for a while. Sister isn’t very good at sitting still and she was reminded just how fragile our bodies are last week. It was a week and a half after her hysterectomy, and Sister who was feeling restless accompanied her daughter for a shopping trip to the mall. I think she was fooled by the energy she was feeling and the fact that she no longer felt ill or needed pain pills. When she returned home, there was some issue of blood. It was a very real reminder ... Life with Breast Cancer blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1338298 Mon, 31 Mar 2008 19:18:17 +0100 1338298 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=837516&cid=t_137729_136_f&fid=36051&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FCancerCommentary%2F%7E3%2F151558693%2F According to a study conducted by a team from Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York, hypnosis prior to breast cancer surgery reduced the amount of anesthesia administered during the operation and pain afterward. Guy Montgomery of Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York and colleagues conducted a clinical trial to examine the effects of hypnosis when it is given within 1 hour before breast cancer surgery. Two hundred women were randomly assigned to either 15 minutes of hypnosis by a psychologist or a control session in which they spoke with a psychologist. The findings – published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute – reported that patients in the hypnosis group required less anesthesia than patients in the control group and they reported less pain, nausea, fatigue, ... Cancer Commentary blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=837516 Mon, 03 Sep 2007 09:34:39 +0100 837516