title: Factors to consider in breast reconstruction.
abstract: Women considering breast ablative therapy are confronted with a variety of decisions that include the type of mastectomy (partial, total, skin sparing, nipple areolar sparing), the type of reconstruction (prosthetic, autologous, oncoplastic) and the need for adjuvant therapy (chemotherapy, radiation). The parameters for each are multifactorial and require significant thought and counseling. Therapeutic options are essentially individualized and dependent upon a variety of factors such as tumor size and location, lymph node involvement, comorbidities, expectations and body characteristics. The role of reconstructive surgery is now well appreciated and an integral component of the multidisciplinary care of the patient and is influenced by the opinions and recommendations of surgical, medical and radiation oncologists. This manuscript will review the role of reconstructive surgery and the many factors to consider.
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic Surgery, Georgetown University Hospital, 3800 Reservoir Rd, NW, Washington, DC 20007, USA.
authors.forename: Maurice Y
authors.initials: MY
authors.lastname: Nahabedian
mesh_terms: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018427:Breast Implants; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016462:Mammaplasty / Q000379:methods* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D016038:Skin Transplantation / Q000379:methods
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents
keywords: DIEP flap; breast reconstruction; free TRAM flap; implants; tissue expanders