Innovative Surgery Restores Hope for Breast Cancer Patients in Chicago

A surgical innovation at a Chicago-area hospital is helping breast cancer patients reclaim their sense of self while effectively treating their illness. The procedure, known as oncoplastic breast reduction, combines cancer surgery with aesthetic enhancements, offering patients not only a chance at recovery but also a more positive self-image.

According to the American Cancer Society, more than 300,000 women in the United States are expected to receive a diagnosis of invasive breast cancer this year. For many, this diagnosis leads to multiple surgeries aimed at ensuring complete removal of cancer cells. One such patient, Jody Simmons, experienced this firsthand. Diagnosed with stage zero breast cancer two years ago, she faced the prospect of surgery with uncertainty.

“I still see it in the mirror,” Simmons said, reflecting on her journey. “Scars are fading. I don’t feel distorted. It was more about feeling whole afterwards.”

During her treatment, Simmons was introduced to an option that significantly influenced her recovery. Dr. Catherine Pesce, an oncologist at Endeavor Health, explained the unique nature of her condition. “Stage zero breast cancer is a type that we can’t see or feel. It’s more of a microscopic disease,” she stated. This often necessitates removing a significant amount of tissue to ensure all cancerous cells are eliminated.

The concern for many surgeons, including Dr. Pesce, is that removing too much tissue can lead to asymmetry, which can impact a patient’s self-esteem. “I never want to do that to a patient,” Dr. Pesce remarked.

To combat this issue, Dr. Mark Sisco, the head of plastic surgery at Endeavor Health, introduced Simmons to the oncoplastic breast reduction procedure. “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,” he said.

In Simmons’s case, Dr. Pesce performed a lumpectomy on her left breast while Dr. Sisco conducted a small breast reduction on her right side. He also adjusted tissue on the left to maintain balance. The lumpectomy alone typically requires about an hour of outpatient surgery, with recovery expected to last around a week. The addition of oncoplastic reduction extends recovery slightly to about two weeks.

Significantly, this approach has enabled some patients to avoid mastectomy, which is often a more challenging procedure. “It takes more work to rebuild the breast after a mastectomy, and that often involves multiple surgeries,” Dr. Sisco explained. The dual procedure also tends to preserve sensation in the breast, which can be a crucial aspect of patient recovery.

One of the standout benefits of this combined approach is the ability to secure clean margins during surgery. “Because we are removing tissue from both breasts, we can go a little wider with our margins to ensure we get clean margins in one surgery,” Dr. Pesce noted. Clean margins are critical as they reduce the likelihood of cancer recurrence.

To confirm success during the operation, the surgical team conducts immediate x-rays of the removed tissue, checking for clear margins around the excised lesion. “We hope to see a nice, clear amount of tissue around it,” Dr. Pesce said, indicating that most patients do well after such procedures.

Despite the advancements in surgical techniques, access to this type of care remains a challenge for many women in the U.S. Research from the National Library of Medicine suggests a shortage of reconstructive plastic surgeons in certain regions, complicating scheduling for simultaneous procedures.

Fortunately for Simmons, her surgical team was able to coordinate effectively. “Our schedules align so that we can accommodate multiple procedures in a single day,” Dr. Pesce explained.

Reflecting on her experience, Simmons expressed gratitude for the options available to her. “It was a choice, and I’m really glad that I did,” she said. “You look at the scars every day in the mirror, and it just makes you feel… for me, it made me whole.”

Medical professionals encourage patients to advocate for themselves and inquire about all surgical options when facing breast cancer treatment. The oncoplastic breast reduction procedure represents a meaningful step toward enhancing both the physical health and emotional well-being of patients navigating the challenges of breast cancer.