A Multidisciplinary Team Approach
A breast cancer diagnosis requires treatment from a range of specialists. Our reconstructive surgeons help streamline your cancer treatment. As part of the breast cancer program, we work in close collaboration with cancer specialists from Dana-Farber Brigham Cancer Center, the leading cancer center in New England, according to U.S. News & World Report.
Our team consists of specialists who coordinate care in an integrated way with surgical oncologists, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, pathologists, imaging specialists, geneticists, physical therapists, physician assistants, nurses and social workers. As a multidisciplinary team, we share decision-making and communicate with each other about your care.
Reconstructive Options
Every breast cancer patient who seeks reconstructive care has unique medical needs and appearance goals. To develop a treatment strategy that best suits yours, the breast surgeons at the Brigham and Women's Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery offer a wide array of reconstruction options.
Whether you seek immediate reconstruction, delayed reconstruction or preventive care — we provide a variety of surgical treatment options, including:
- Breast implants
Using silicone or salt water (saline) implants to create a new breast.
- Autologous breast reconstruction (flap procedures)
using tissue from elsewhere in your body (autologous tissue) to replace breast tissue.
Types of flap procedures include:
- DIEP flap reconstruction
Replacing breast tissue with a flap of skin and fat from the belly.
- LAT flap reconstruction
Replacing breast tissue with a flap of skin and muscle from the upper back.
- SGAP flap reconstruction
Replacing breast tissue with a flap of skin and fat from the upper buttocks.
- PAP flap reconstruction
Replacing breast tissue with a flap of skin and fat from the upper thigh, just below the buttocks.
- TUG/DUG flap reconstruction
Replacing breast tissue with a flap of skin and fat from the inner thigh.
- Innervated flap reconstruction
Connecting nerves in transplanted tissue to the nerves in the chest to restore feeling to the reconstructed breast.
Reconstruction may be performed on its own or with breast lift, breast reduction or breast augmentation on the other breast to achieve breast symmetry.
Additionally, we have surgeons trained in techniques to treat and prevent lymphedema.
For more information, or to make an appointment, please call or email us at: 617-732-5282
