Because a woman’s happiness is about beauty, it would be better… to enjoy dressing up without worrying about “scars on the back” anymore. The famous doctor.. Prof. Dr. Supakorn Rojaninin, a specialist surgeon in oncologic surgery and head, neck, and breast surgery at Phyathai 3 Hospital has collaborated with the medical team at Phyathai Hospital to share the story of breast cancer surgery and the technique of breast reconstruction… with “no scars” for us to know!!
A lump in the breast… sometimes it may not be “cancer”
Over 90% of my patients come and it’s not breast cancer! Because don’t forget… cancer “does not cause pain.” Patients who come with pain symptoms usually have cysts or lumps that are not cancerous, which are commonly found in women under 35 years old. These lumps often occur during breast development, meaning rapid development can cause lumps… but they are not cancer!!!
Does breast-conserving surgery… cure breast cancer?
If patients see the doctor early or consider other factors and find that breast-conserving surgery is possible, medically, this surgery must be combined with radiation therapy! Which provides treatment results equivalent to mastectomy.
Does “radiation therapy” cause harm to patients?
Previously, radiation therapy would cause skin burns… or burns deep to the bone and lungs! Unlike today, where medical technology has advanced, radiation can be precisely controlled to target only the required area without damaging the skin or lungs.
Breast reconstruction surgery… using fat from the abdomen
When patients have to remove the entire breast, the reconstruction material can be fat or silicone. If fat is used, we use abdominal fat. This involves transferring abdominal fat with its blood vessels to the chest. This method is called the TRAM flap, which has the disadvantage of being difficult, time-consuming, requiring an experienced surgeon… and the abdomen must be in good condition! For example, heavy smokers, very large abdomens, or previous abdominal surgeries cannot undergo this method.
Using “silicone” for breast reconstruction… another better option!
Another easier method is silicone implantation. However, after breast surgery, the remaining skin is very thin. When silicone is placed under the skin… walking around will show a round bag-like appearance under the skin, which looks unnatural. The most natural look is achieved by placing it under the muscle, such as under the chest muscle. But this method only covers half of the silicone implant… the rest must be covered with tissue from elsewhere. The easiest method is to use tissue from the back near the scapula! However, this method causes scars on the back on the side of the surgery.
But with the new technique… from the medical team at Phyathai 3 Hospital, the back is scar-free!!
This method places the silicone under the muscle and uses a long instrument to carefully dissect and harvest tissue from the scapula on the same side as the breast surgery without making a direct incision on the back. This results in a natural-looking breast and, importantly, “no scars” on the back. There is only the original breast cancer surgery scar.
With this new surgical technique… how soon can patients return to normal life?
About 3-4 days after surgery, patients can go home. In the first week, they will have follow-up appointments to check the wound. If there is fluid accumulation, it must be drained, with weekly follow-ups. After the second week, patients can return to work as usual.
“As a surgeon with experience in treatment, I know that if patients come early… they can be treated. Especially for young patients who must have their breasts removed, how their life will be for the next several decades is important. Breast-conserving surgery or reconstruction after surgery is the answer for mental happiness and good quality of life without being trapped by the word breast cancer for life.”
Prof. Dr. Supakorn Rojaninin
Specialist Surgeon in Oncologic Surgery
and Head, Neck, and Breast Surgery
Phyathai 3 Hospital
