ExperienceBreast
cancer (mammary gland cancer) is the most common type of malignant tumor among
women. In Latvia, on average, about 1,000 women are diagnosed with it each
year.
Unfortunately,
throughout the world, including our country, breast cancer is more and more
frequently found among younger women.
A
multifaceted approach is used to treat breast cancer - surgical, radiological,
and drug therapy.
Surgery
still remains the basic therapeutic approach. There are two types of surgeries
available:
- mastectomy
or removal of the mammary gland. There is a possibility of immediately using
the Expander (stretching device) with its subsequent replacement by an implant
after a radical mastectomy;
- breast
preserving surgery.
The
decision as to which type of surgery would work better for a particular
patient, depends on the stage of the disease, the patient's wish and the
experience of the surgeon.
Surgeon
Egils Purmalis, as one of the first surgeons in Latvia to introduce
breast-preserving operations, is widely using (without violating the generally
accepted principles of surgical oncology) surgical treatment of breast cancer,
trying to preserve the mammary gland tissues as often as possible.
The
loss of a breast is a serious psycho-emotional trauma, which is perceived as a
loss of femininity and sexuality. For this reason, many women want to preserve
the breast to the extent possible.
There
are several types of operations that can save the breast, while drastically minimizing
or eliminating the cancerous process at the same time.
Dr.
Purmalis performs -
- segmental resection of the breast (tumor operated
within healthy tissue). The defect in the breast is usually concealed by the
use of onco-plastic technology - in this case, breast tissue is used. The main
advantages of this method are that the patient’s own breast tissue is used
without the implantation of foreign objects;
- segmental resection together with a procedure of
examining the sentinel node (if indicated);
- another option is to utilize implants to eliminate cosmetic defects in the
breast.
Dr.Purmalis,
based on his extensive clinical professional experience, individually defines
the extent of required surgery, always listening to the wishes of his patients.
It
is difficult or even impossible for a patient to defeat the disease alone. The basis of any successful treatment is mutual understanding between doctor and patient, their cooperation and
trust, as well as full information provided to the
patient about the disease and on course of its treatment.
It is important to listen
attentively to what the doctor is saying - he
is the first one to tell what to expect and what should be done.
Do not hesitate to ask him questions
of interest and ask again if something seems to be missing or omitted.
|
