Health Signs - Summer 2011 - (Page 4)

The Next Evolution of Breast Cancer Surgery Surgeons team up to treat disease and restore appearance for best possible recovery F 4 SUMMER 2011 Washington Hospital surgeons Prasad Kilaru, M.D., (left) and William Dugoni, M.D., use an innovative approach to breast cancer surgery called oncoplasty that gives patients the best of both worlds—a high cure rate and a better cosmetic outcome. For women facing breast cancer, consider this: If you were told that the doctors could remove the cancer and leave your breasts looking relatively the same—if not better—after surgery, would you believe it? It’s not a myth, according to William Dugoni, M.D., medical director of the Washington Women’s Center. It’s called oncoplasty, an approach to breast cancer surgery that gives patients the best of both worlds—a high cure rate and a better cosmetic outcome. “When you talk about breast reconstruction, there is no doubt that we are ahead of the rest in having a well-trained plastic surgeon who is committed to doing these types of surgeries,” Dugoni says. “Furthermore, we have done some really state-of-the art reconstructive surgeries, and that’s all part of the treatment at the Washington Women’s Center. “In the larger scope, oncoplasty is the next step above that. It is relevant to any woman who has breast cancer and requires surgical treatment. With every patient we are focusing on the whole person—her physical well-being and her psychological well-being, and every person needing breast cancer treatment should be approached with the message of ‘We’re going to cure your cancer and focus on symmetry and your well-being.’ ” Prasad Kilaru, M.D., medical director of the Washington Center for Wound Healing and Hyperbaric Medicine, is the plastic surgeon responsible for orchestrating the reconstruction immediately after Dugoni has removed the cancerous tissue. And according to Kilaru, patients’ attitudes toward reconstructive surgery have been changing as techniques and technology have improved. “Patients’ comfort level with the idea of reconstructive surgery has been getting better,” Kilaru says. “In the past, reconstructive surgery wasn’t as aesthetically pleasing, “When you talk about breast reconstruction, there is no doubt that we are ahead of the rest in having a well-trained plastic surgeon who is committed to doing these types of surgeries.” —William Dugoni, M.D. Medical Director of the Washington Women’s Center but now that the aesthetic results of reconstruction are confident that this continuously evolving approach to looking better, more patients are going in that direction.” breast cancer treatment will become the gold standard for Still, the oncoplastic approach goes several steps above most, if not all, women needing breast cancer surgery. traditional reconstructive surgery, in that it focuses on the “We all want to have a sense of normalcy,” he says. appearance of both breasts and employs techniques that “And it has been shown that psychological recovery lends offer options to lumpectomy and mastectomy candidates, itself to better outcomes. There will always be those that Dugoni points out. say, ‘Nah,’ and that’s OK too. But if the options are there, “Oncoplasty should be an option for every breast cancer women in the community should know about them. patient because the approach is different,” Dugoni says. “Oncoplastic surgery is another initiative the “At minimum, we’re going to make the breast look like it Washington Women’s Center is offering to all patients, did before, if not better. This approach is about curing the and we have the skills and technology if you want the cancer and making both breasts look better.” choice.” • The collaborative effort between Dugoni and Kilaru is in its fifth year and the advantages of oncoplasty are coupled with the full array of services and programs offered by the Washington Women’s Center. InHealth, a Washington Hospital Channel, is now airing a “The Washington Women’s Center at program titled “Voices InHealth: New Surgical Options Washington Hospital is really a collaborative for Breast Cancer Treatment” featuring William Dugoni, M.D., effort,” Kilaru says. “The Tumor Board meetings and Prasad Kilaru, M.D. InHealth is available on Comcast 78, are very well attended by physicians in the comor you can watch this show and other current programs munity and there has been a lot more activity online at inhealth.tv. To see an overview of breast health for awareness about evolving treatment options services offered at the Women’s Center, visit like this one.” whhs.com/womens-health/breast-health. Despite some lingering confusion about oncoplastic surgery and its benefits, Dugoni is HEALING THE WHOLE PERSON http://www.inhealth.tv http://www.whhs.com/womens-health/breast-health

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Health Signs - Summer 2011

Health Signs - Summer 2011
WHHS Earns Patient Safety Excellence Award, and the Center for Joint Replacement ranks No. 1 in California
The next evolution of breast cancer surgery
Why kids and adults should get immunized against whooping cough
Bringing comfort and care to patients receiving chemo treatments

Health Signs - Summer 2011