Maximum Beauty Blog - The Archives
Archive for October, 2010
Mastectomy Evolution
“My friends can’t tell I’ve had a mastectomy!!” says a recent breast cancer survivor.
Look how far we’ve come in the evolution of mastectomies.
In the late 1800s, breast cancer was treated by not only removing the breast, but also removing the underlying muscles and most of the axillary contents, leaving behind an extremely disfiguring defect. Over the years, we have evolved to sparing many of the anatomic breast landmarks… and there’s a promising new trend: removing the entire breast, but keeping all the skin, areola and the nipple! In fact, when performing this type of mastectomy followed by implant reconstruction, the resulting breast looks very much like a cosmetic breast augmentation, with only a small inframammary scar! UNBELIEVEABLE!!! This type of mastectomy is termed nipple sparing, although proper nomenclature should really be nipple-areola-complex preserving mastectomy since the areola is also spared, not to be confused with skin sparing mastectomies which takes the entire nipple and areola.
So who qualifies for this type of mastectomy?? The answer is not simple and is highly variable from surgeon to surgeon. We unfortunately do not have a lot of long term data, but factors that are currently being considered include the tumor size, its location, its distance from the nipple-areola complex and whether its HER2 positive.
The improved cosmesis with this type of mastectomy must not compromise a safe oncologic outcome. A biopsy at the base of the nipple is taken at the time of mastectomy and sent for both frozen and permanent section. It has a good (80%) sensitivity and 96% negative predictive value, such that if the biopsy comes back negative, you can be reassured that your nipple is free of cancer involvement. Long term studies on recurrence rates are lacking, but short term follow up studies show no increased risk of local recurrence.
The nipple-areola-complex preserving mastectomy may be a great choice for risk reduction, especially in gene (BRCA) positive patients. We look forward to long term studies and the continued improvements in quality of life for breast cancer patients and those women at high risk. Check out our website for before/after pictures of implant reconstruction after nipple-areola-complex sparing mastectomies. www.maxwellaesthetics.com
Dr. Kristina O’Shaughnessy, M.D, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon, Maxwell Aesthetics, Nashville, TN
Hot Nail Color this Halloween
Discover your dark side with colors to give your hands and feet a dramatic look. OPI’s Halloween collection has gone Goth! Featuring four new shades including matte black, deep red, green glitter and rich purple.
The hot new OPI Burlesque Collection colors are another group of Halloween Favorites especially Shimmer Shimmer, Extra-Va-Ganza, and Show-It-and-Glow.
From Essie, my personal fav is ChinChilly.
Other great Essie colors for BOO night are Below the Belt, Pink Parka, Bright Tights, and Licorice.
“I have cancer, now what?”
“You have breast cancer.” You heard your doctor say these words, but somehow you can’t quite grasp the idea. You lay awake in bed that night, your head swimming with questions. “What about my kids? What about my job? ”. Your mind is going a mile a minute. “What about my husband? What about our sex life? Will I be disfigured?” And the worst of all: “Am I going to die?” You cry yourself to sleep.
This is a common reaction to an all too common diagnosis. But, support is out there, options are numerous, and knowledge is your best friend. Your personal story of diagnosis, treatment and outcome will be unique, but each step in the process occurs along a common algorithm. This is what you need to do.
- See your breast surgeon. Depending on the size and type of tumor you have, you will require a mastectomy which is complete removal of the breast or lumpectomy which is partial removal of the breast, termed breast conservation therapy. You will discuss lymph node sampling.
- See a reconstructive surgeon regardless of whether you and your surgeon decide on mastectomy or breast conservation.
- See an oncologist. Your treatment will depend on your pathology report. You may have to receive chemotherapy and/or radiation. Additionally, some patients will continue hormone therapy after their active treatment.
- See a radiation oncologist. Radiation therapy for breast cancer may be used after lumpectomy or mastectomy, alone or in combination with chemotherapy.
So how long does all this take? It depends on your exact treatment and type of reconstruction. Typical treatment with surgery, reconstruction, chemotherapy and/or radiation can take approximately 6 months to one year. Return for further discussions on treatment options and tips on how to emotionally tackle this difficult year.
Kristina O’Shaughnessy, M.D, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon, Maxwell Aesthetics
Dr. Maxwell Featured in Vogue Magazine
In an age where maintaining a youthful appearance is all the rage, everyone is waiting for the next big thing. As cosmetic surgery techniques advance, many cosmetic surgeons are discovering just how effective injectable fillers are in treating some of the most common body woes including premature signs of aging and small breasts.
In a recent edition of Vogue Magazine, Dr. Maxwell and other skilled cosmetic surgeons explain just how effective injectable fillers such has BOTOX, Restylane, Juvederm and others are at treating signs of aging and helping patients achieve the body they desire. Using the latest injectable fillers, both men and women can see an improvement in sunken or hollow cheeks, eliminate fine lines and wrinkles, and achieve a more round, and full backside. Some women may even find that injectable fillers are able to increase their bust.
Click here to read the Vogue article “BLOW UP”
Dr. Maxwell offers a variety of injectable fillers. If you are unhappy with the way your skin is beginning to age or would like to discuss the other uses for injectable fillers, contact our office and schedule a confidential consultation with Dr. Maxwell. He will help you determine the best treatment plan to meet your individual body goals.
