Innovative Surgery Restores Confidence for Breast Cancer Patients

A groundbreaking surgical procedure at a hospital in suburban Chicago is helping women regain their sense of self after breast cancer treatment. According to the American Cancer Society, over 300,000 women will be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer this year, often leading to surgeries that can alter their physical appearance and emotional well-being.

For Jody Simmons, a breast cancer patient, the journey began two years ago when she received her diagnosis following a routine mammogram. Faced with uncertainty about surgical options, Simmons was relieved to learn about an innovative approach that combined cancer treatment with aesthetic considerations. “I was more concerned about feeling whole afterwards,” she shared. “I still see it in the mirror. Scars are fading. I don’t feel distorted.”

Simmons was diagnosed with stage zero breast cancer, a type that is often undetectable by touch or imaging. Dr. Catherine Pesce, an oncologist at Endeavor Health, explained that this form of cancer can require significant tissue removal to ensure all malignant cells are eradicated. “As a breast surgeon, we’re always worried about asymmetry if too much tissue is removed,” she noted. “I never want to do that to a patient.”

An alternative option presented to Simmons was an oncoplastic breast reduction, which merges cancer surgery with cosmetic techniques. Dr. Mark Sisco, the head of plastic surgery at Endeavor Health, described the procedure as beneficial in maintaining the patient’s appearance while effectively treating cancer. “This is one of the few operations where a cancer patient could go to sleep, have their cancer removed, and wake up feeling better about their body,” Sisco stated.

During Simmons’s surgery, Pesce conducted a lumpectomy on her left breast while Sisco performed a small breast reduction on the right. He also repositioned some tissue on the left side to ensure a balanced appearance. “A lumpectomy alone takes about an hour, and recovery is typically around a week,” Pesce explained. “The addition of oncoplastic reduction doesn’t significantly extend recovery time, adding only about one extra week.”

This dual approach is particularly advantageous for patients with larger tumors, who previously may have been required to undergo a mastectomy, a more complex procedure with additional reconstruction challenges. Sisco emphasized that performing these surgeries concurrently enhances overall outcomes for patients. “We are avoiding a second surgery in many cases,” he affirmed.

One of the most significant benefits of this innovative procedure is the ability to achieve clean surgical margins, which reduces the likelihood of cancer recurrence. “We take an x-ray during surgery to ensure we have removed enough surrounding tissue,” Pesce explained. “This gives us confidence that we are achieving clean margins.”

Despite the positive outcomes associated with this procedure, access remains a challenge for many women in the United States. Research published in the National Library of Medicine highlights a potential shortage of reconstructive plastic surgeons in some regions, which can complicate scheduling for simultaneous surgeries.

Fortunately for Simmons, her surgical team managed to coordinate their schedules effectively. “It’s common for us to perform three or four of these surgeries in one day,” Pesce noted. Simmons expressed gratitude for the opportunity to choose this surgical path. “I’m really glad I did because you look at the scars every day in the mirror, and it just makes you feel whole,” she reflected.

The doctors involved encourage patients to advocate for themselves by inquiring about the availability of this procedure when considering surgical options. As the medical community continues to explore innovative solutions, the hope is that more women will benefit from advancements in breast cancer treatment that prioritize not only health but also emotional and physical well-being.