Patient - Breast Reconstruction

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Before

Not all breast reconstruction after breast cancer involves rebuilding a breast. This patient had a lumpectomy with radiation for cancer of the right breast. This is often called "breast conserving" treatment because the goal is to treat the cancer yet preserve the natural look of the breast. Unfortunately, all too often, the breast becomes visibly distorted due to this combined treatment and these breasts are among the most difficult of all to reconstruct. In her case, the treated breast really did not look too bad, although it was clearly distorted. She was OK with the right breast but displeased with the obvious mismatch between the left and right breasts. I proposed a modest breast reduction on the left. 

After

She is shown 6 months after a reduction of less than 100 grams of tissue from the left breast. The breasts match much better visually and she fills her bra cups evenly. In her case, this was a much better option than trying to work on the radiated breast.