Breast cancer is one of the most common malignant tumors in women, and its incidence rate is increasing year by year. Although breast cancer treatment has significantly improved patient survival rates, the associated cosmetic changes to the breast often cause long-term and severe physical and mental distress to patients.

Breast reconstruction

As an effective means of improving appearance and alleviating psychological burden, breast reconstruction has gradually become an important component of breast cancer treatment. Breast reconstruction can improve patients' body image and self-confidence, and have a positive impact on their mental health, social participation, and sexual health.

Currently, the rate of breast reconstruction in my country is still relatively low, with great potential for improvement. As breast cancer treatment continues to improve, the demand for breast reconstruction among patients is gradually increasing.

 

Ms. Liu (a pseudonym) noticed brown discharge from her nipples, but no breast pain or discomfort, and initially ignored it. After a color ultrasound scan at the hospital, the results shocked her. A friend introduced her to Professor Li Shunrong, who, after an outpatient examination and considering the breast ultrasound results, recommended a minor surgery.

 

Fortunately, Ms. Liu's postoperative pathology revealed intraductal carcinoma, an early-stage breast cancer located within the ducts. The condition is not serious. After a patient consultation, the most appropriate treatment plan was developed. After careful consideration, Ms. Liu opted for a complete gland removal and concurrent breast reconstruction.

There are many types of breast reconstruction surgery. The first is autologous tissue flap breast reconstruction. After the surgery, the breast feels soft, just like before the breast was removed, but there will be an extra scar on the abdomen. The second option is to use breast prosthesis implants for breast reconstruction. The specifications and prices of the prostheses are different, and the touch feeling after the surgery will also be different.

△Prostheses of different models and specifications

 

For her own health and financial well-being, Ms. Liu opted for breast reconstruction surgery with a silicone gel breast implant. Considering the aesthetic benefits of bilateral breast symmetry and her personal preference for beauty, which emphasizes full breasts as a symbol of feminine elegance, she ultimately opted for a single implant in her unaffected breast.

△Simplified diagram of surgical incision location design

腋下切口：Axillary Incision

乳头切口：Nipple Incision

乳房下皱襞切口：Inframammary Fold Incision

乳晕切口：Periareolar Incision

 

 

Professor Li Shunrong used his superb surgical skills to not only remove the lesions of Ms. Liu's breast tumor, but also reconstructed a pair of beautiful breasts for Ms. Liu at the same time. Ms. Liu was very satisfied with the appearance of her breasts after the operation and was very grateful to Professor Li and the medical staff of the surgical team. After postoperative care, Ms. Liu recovered smoothly and was discharged from the hospital.

△ Immediately after the expander is placed during the operation, the size of the breast silicone model is measured

 

       △Appearance after immediate breast silicone gel prosthesis implantation during surgery

 

Professor Li during surgery
 

△Comparison pictures before and after surgery

 

 

Contributor: Dr. Wang Manman, Chief Physician, Department of Oncology Surgery

 

Advisory Professor Profile: 

Li Shunrong

PhD, Associate Chief Physician, Master Supervisor

Job title:

Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital Breast Cancer Hospital

Community service:

Chairman of the Breast Disease Plastic Surgery and Repair Branch of the Guangdong Medical Industry Association

Vice Chairman of the Breast Branch of the Guangdong Medical Industry Association

Member of the Breast Disease Professional Committee of the Chinese Medical Education Association

Member of the Breast Disease Branch of the Guangdong Medical Doctor Association

Medical major:

After graduation, she has worked in the clinical field for nearly 20 years and is proficient in difficult surgical procedures. She has many years of clinical experience in the standardized systemic treatment of stage IV metastatic breast cancer, radical surgical treatment of locally inoperable lesions, and comprehensive treatment of multidrug-resistant breast cancer.

Specialties:

Minimally invasive breast surgery: single breast nodules, multiple breast nodules, and giant benign breast tumors. We have performed nearly 10,000 cases to date.

Breast cancer diagnosis: Former head of the breast diagnosis department, familiar with various imaging diagnostics and biopsy techniques;

Breast plastic surgery: nipple correction, breast reduction, breast lift, breast augmentation surgery with various approaches;

Breast cancer surgery: breast-conserving surgery, various radical mastectomies, including various high-difficulty breast cancer surgeries and post-resection repair;

Breast reconstruction: prosthesis implant reconstruction, pedicled myocutaneous flap reconstruction, free flap reconstruction; vacuum negative pressure aspiration fat filling breast reconstruction, hard chest wall reconstruction.

Complication surgery: Groin flap transplantation for upper limb lymphedema.

Doctor Profile:

Yang Liang

Associate Chief Physician

Position:

Deputy Chief Physician of Oncology Surgery, Guangzhou Royal Li Cancer Hospital

major:

She has been committed to clinical frontline work for 20 years and has studied breast disease surgical techniques with Professor Li Shunrong in recent years.

Specialties:

Diagnosis and treatment of various breast diseases; comprehensive treatment of breast cancer; diagnosis and treatment of thyroid diseases.

Wang Manman

Master of Medicine

Position:

Attending Physician of Oncology Surgery at Guangzhou Royal Cancer Hospital

major:

After graduating with a master's degree, she has been committed to clinical frontline work for 6 years, learning breast cancer and breast plastic surgery techniques from Professor Li Shunrong.

Specialties:

Segmental resection of benign breast diseases, minimally invasive surgical treatment of benign breast nodules; breast-conserving radical surgery for breast cancer, modified radical surgery for breast cancer; surgical treatment of male breast plasia; preoperative neoadjuvant and postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy for breast cancer; postoperative endocrine therapy, biological targeted therapy, etc.; familiar with first-stage and second-stage breast cancer implant breast reconstruction, autologous tissue flap breast reconstruction, liposuction breast plastic surgery, etc.