subject: Breast Diep Flap Reconstruction: Ray Of Hope After Cancer [print this page] Breast cancer is one of the most common types of cancer in women following skin cancer. It also occurs in men but the majority of victims are female. Many survive this disease by utilizing the treatments of radiation, chemotherapy and/or mastectomy or lumpectomy. Luckily, there are effective ways to reconstruct the breast after losing in to cancer.
Radiation is a treatment which entails administering high dosages of radiation to diseased areas in order to stop the cancer cells from growing and continuing to multiply in one's body. Basically, it radiation is lethal to the disease.
Chemotherapy uses various chemicals which are delivered to the body through pills, injections or intravenous drip in order to do the same thing. Mastectomy is the surgical removal of an entire diseased breast and lumpectomy is the removal of only a portion.
Symptoms of breast cancer include lumps, bumpy changes in texture that resemble an orange peel, nipple changes including peeling, flaking, and shape change. A woman should perform regular self checks in order to become familiar with her own body and to be able to note any changes right away. Mammograms and annual exams by a physician are also highly recommended.
The DIEP (which stands for Deep Inferior Epigastric Perforator) flap method is one in which breasts are rebuilt into natural appearing parts of the body by leaving the muscles intact and only removing the superficial skin. Incisions are made in the abdomen to bring the abdominal skin up, repositioning it in order to cover the existing muscle.
Basically, the new breast is made from excess fatty tissue and skin from the abdomen area between the belly button and the pubic area. An interesting footnote to this type of procedure is that the body doesn't realize the abdominal skin's location has been moved, so if a person would normally gain weight in their abdomen, they would now gain it in their bust line.
The DIEP flap method is a fairly new development in the field of reconstructive surgery, appearing as on option in the early1990's. The former method was called the TRAM flap method and although it was a shorter procedure, muscle had to be sacrificed. Even though the DIEP procedure is complex and difficult to perform, there has been a high success rate.
Six weeks post surgery should find the patient well on her road to recovery but the complete healing may take up to one year. But it will be well worth it. With a new natural looking breast and the cancer behind her, a survivor can look forward to a full and rewarding life.
by: Abigail Aaronson
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