Breast cancer

Each year in the European Union 32,000 woman die from breast cancer, according to EU statistics. Those who survive often only are able to do so after having one or both breasts completely removed in a mastectomy. Traditionally, the procedure has involved using tissue from another part of the patient's body to take the place of the missing breasts. However, that practice is painful and leaves multiple scars.

Researchers at the University of Munich's OB/GYN Clinic are trying to change that. They have become the first in Europe to use a new procedure whereby a piece of pig's skin is implanted into the breast along with a silicon implant. Of the six women in Germany that have undergone the experimental procedure, there has been no bodily rejection of the pigskin implant.

Deutsche Welle spoke with Dr. Darius Dian, head of the OB/GYN Clinic at the University of Munich in order to learn more about his work with this new reconstructive technique.

Deutsche Welle: Dr. Dian, you recently implemented a new method for reconstructing the breasts of cancer survivors that must undergo a mastectomy. Would you please explain why this method to rebuild the breasts of cancer patients is different and more effective than previously used methods?

Dr. Darius Dian: The new method is not more effective, rather it is gentler. The problem with breast reconstruction is that when you take out the mammary glands or the breast tissue, you are left with the empty breast shell. This area must be filled in somehow. One option is to take tissue from the buttocks or stomach and use it to fill in the breasts. This procedure leaves scarring though.

With the new method, we are trying to avoid this. We do not need to use tissue from other body areas but we use an implant. You could say you can also do it with the implant alone and without the new tissue, but it probably would not work. The tissue must cover the implant, otherwise it could harden.

When will the process officially be approved for use on all women or will the method work well for just a subset of patients?

This new procedure is ideal for women that have not yet undergone a mastectomy. When they have already had a mastectomy, it is difficult because the extra skin is gone and the chest is flatter. At that point all we can do is support women in the reconstruction process, but it is best to perform both the mastectomy and breast reconstruction all at once if possible. Only then is it most effective.

Will the new method be less painful for the patient than older methods of breast replacement?

Yes. This procedure will be gentler because the patient does not require any tissue to be taken out of their body. Therefore there is no extra scarring on the body. There will only be scars on the breasts.

What response have you received so far from the international medical community?

This is not a procedure we invented ourselves. It is a product from a company and we are not the first worldwide to use this procedure, rather we are the first in Europe to do so. Altogether about 100 patients [worldwide] have undergone the surgery and the international medical community has begun taking notice of the procedure as it has been applied in more and more countries. They are becoming convinced that this is a very good method to reconstruct woman's breasts. We will need at least another 2 or 3 years until we know for sure which indicators are optimal.

Author: Genevieve Baer
Editor: Mark Mattox