C A S T/bc (Center for the Aesthetic Surgical Treatment of Breast Cancer)

07/24/2019

This follows actions in Canada and Europe regarding textured breast implants..

On Wednesday, the FDA announced there are now 573 cases of BIA-ALCL worldwide and 33 people have died.

06/06/2019

A plastic surgeon can envision the optimal aesthetic result that incorporates ablative treatment. The philosophy of CAST/bc is to have patients fully educated to these options prior to consultation with an ablative oncological surgeon. http://www.plasticsurgerypractice.com/2019/06/breast-cancer-patients-unaware-surgical-options-study-suggests/?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_term=PSP%20eReport%20June%202019&campaign_type=newsletter&_hsenc=p2ANqtz--YQAbiGPonvoqrfQlMNBRpznm6BkPHdlTQ49ZGPnZTEC3R1xFYl6WMwP3cYcmHmp5iqSZfRn2qOilSI9G0AbGYOfmV5Q&_hsmi=73402434

Findings from a recent study illustrate the importance of surgeons making their patients aware of breast cancer's long-term impact on the body and the surgical options available to minimize morbidity, according to its first author.

12/14/2017

Lecturing in Ho Chi Minh City's Cho Ray Hospital on The Aesthetic Surgical Treatment of Breast Cancer: A New and Unique Paradigm for the Next Generation.

08/26/2017

07/14/2017

How do these two types of implants compare in terms of postoperative complications and patient satisfaction?

05/19/2017

Contralateral prophylactic mastectomy may offer significant benefit in patients undergoing reconstruction as it is easier to achieve symmetry with similar bilateral procedures. Unilateral mastectomy with reconstruction will often face additional procedures or dissatisfaction with symmetry. CAST/bc recommends that all patients consult with an experienced plastic surgeon regarding not only reconstructive options but also the options of various surgical ablative procedures.

Obstetrics & Gynecology Article: Surgeons hesitate to discourage contralateral prophylactic mastectomy

02/10/2017

This procedure is not new. Immediate breast reconstruction has been around for decades. I pushed for this when I was doing breast reconstruction at Cedars- Sinai in the 1990's. Many general surgeons were reluctant and did not "believe" in immediate reconstruction. I did the first immediate TRAM autologous reconstruction there with much trepidation because it was a novel approach. Part of the problem is that general surgeons were taught to wait a year to make sure cancer did not recur before recommending reconstruction. Another problem is that general surgeons are rightly more focused on the cancer cure than the physical and psychological benefits of reconstruction. Many patients do not even see a plastic surgeon before mastectomy. This is the reason why I formulated the concepts and philosophy of CAST/bc over the last two decades. Patients should consult with a plastic surgeon simultaneously with, or even before, an oncological surgeon to review all options and coordinate care.

As TODAY’s War on Cancer series continues to spotlight the latest breakthroughs in the fight against the disease, special correspondent Joan Lunden follows the story of a courageous women who chose an innovative new option for breast cancer patients that avoids multiple surgeries: “breast in a day.”

10/19/2016

Breast Reconstruction Awareness Day. C A S T/bc believes plastic surgery of the breast for cancer is more than just reconstruction. Plastic surgery should be involved at the very beginning of diagnosis helping to coordinate and plan treatment for the optimal curative and aesthetic result.

08/06/2016

I agree that contralateral mastectomy as a preventive measure against cancer should be undertaken in very select patients. However, as indicated at the very end of the paper, contralateral mastectomy often has great benefit in achieving aesthetic goals and taken in this perspective the preventive benefits can be additive. Also, when asymmetry results from not performing a contralateral mastectomy for aesthetic symmetry, there can be unnecessary additional surgeries, complications, and psychological as well practical issues resulting from battling or trying to correct the asymmetry.

Only women at high risk for breast cancer, including those with BRCA 1 or BRCA 2 gene mutations, should undergo contralateral prophylactic mastectomy after diagnosis with breast cancer, according to a statement from the American Society of Breast Surgeons published in Annals of Surgical Oncology. Br...

07/26/2016

Higher satisfaction with preventive mastectomy and reconstruction
Women who have contralateral prophylactic mastectomy followed by breast reconstruction have more complications but also report higher satisfaction levels than women who have unilateral mastectomy and reconstruction, according to data from the multicenter Mastectomy Reconstruction Outcomes Consortium study.

07/22/2016

Crystal Hefner was left bedridden due to her chronic pain from her breast implants.

03/24/2016

http://journals.lww.com/annalsofsurgery/pages/articleviewer.aspx?article=97018&issue=00000&type=abstract&year=9000
There is a big difference between having an oncologic surgeon suggest/recommend contralateral prophylactic mastectomy for oncological reasons and a plastic surgeon recommending/suggesting it for aesthetic treatment reasons.

Objective: To update and examine national temporal trends in contralateral prophylactic mastectomy (CPM) and determine whether survival differed for invasive breast cancer patients based on hormone receptor (HR) status and age. Methods: We identified women diagnosed with unilateral stage I to II...

10/22/2015

National Breast Reconstruction Awareness Day tries to support women with breast cancer and make them aware of the availability of reconstruction options as well as the laws mandating insurance coverage for reconstructive surgery. Dr. Yuan and CAST/bc believes all women with a diagnosis of breast cancer should first consult with a plastic surgeon not only to explore reconstructive options but to help actively guide her in choosing treatment options that fulfill long-term cancer treatment goals as well as her aesthetic goals.

10/06/2015

It is a silver-lining in this personal misfortune to be able to raise women's awareness and understanding of breast cancer treatment and plastic surgery's prominent role. CAST/bc believes that women and multidisciplinary teams should go further in accepting the view that breast cancer is not only an oncologic disease but an important cosmetic one as well. Plastic surgeons should be sitting at the focal point of treatment options to decide which route of surgical treatment will best serve the long-term prospects of the individual patient. Plastic surgery is not merely a reconstructive endeavor after surgery, but an integral part of the decision-making process.

Angelina Jolie Pitt's breast surgery increased women's awareness of reconstructive breast surgery options, according to a new study from Austria.

09/07/2015

Check out Dr. Yuan. I found him on www.Healthgrades.com.

08/31/2015

I received a call from a friend regarding her sister who had a 3+ cm. tumor discovered in her breast. She went to three breast surgeons at 3 different, well-regarded institutions and was given three different options for treatment ranging from lumpectomy with radiation, pre-operative chemo followed by lumpectomy and radiation, and mastectomy and chemo. She was understandably confused and was made more so by the addition of various plastic surgical (oft-, and confusingly-, termed 'oncoplastic') options. She was so overwhelmed by the cancer treatment options that she wanted to ignore all the plastic surgery discussion. By having the patient focus on the long-term aesthetic goals, which are generally more easily visualized, rather than short-term treatment options, an appropriate treatment course can be recommended that takes into account cure and aesthetics. CAST/bc believes this paradigm shift in the decision-making process will benefit women facing breast cancer treatment.

04/14/2015

Lobular carcinoma-in-situ is a typically bilateral disease that increases the risk of breast cancer. Bilateral prophylactic mastectomies is a risk-reducing option and along with reconstruction can often enhance the cosmetic appearance of a women's breast in certain situations.

Rita Wilson has just revealed that she has breast cancer, and has already undergone a double mastectomy and reconstructive surgery.

01/06/2015

Autologous reconstruction is the Rolls Royce of breast reconstruction. When it works, the breast feels and moves near-normal, maintenance is low, and patients improve the appearance of their abdomen. However, customization is important and cosmetic results may be improved by having the plastic surgeon plan the overall surgical treatment.

The new study, using the validated BREAST-Q questionnaire, suggests higher patient satisfaction rates for women undergoing reconstruction using their own tissues.