When we hear breast cancer, we often associate it with females. When we look at the data, it’s easy to see why many people don’t even realise that males can be diagnosed with breast cancer. Of all breast cancer cases, less than 1% involve male patients. The lack of discussion and awareness means that many men are left unsure about their options after a breast cancer diagnosis. This includes options after a male mastectomy.
Male Mastectomy
A mastectomy is a form of surgery that involves the removal of breast tissue and is commonly used to treat breast cancer. Seeing as most breast cancer cases occur in females, a mastectomy is often thought of exclusively as a female procedure.
Men too can undergo a mastectomy as a form of breast cancer treatment, although this is often a smaller procedure due to men having significantly less breast tissue. Options around male breast reconstruction are often less discussed than options for females.
Options After A Male Mastectomy
These are four of the most common reconstruction options after undergoing a male mastectomy.
Fat Grafting
Fat grafting involves using liposuction to transfer fat from one area of the body to the chest. Commonly, fat is harvested from areas such as the thighs or buttocks, which are naturally higher in fat, before a small amount is deposited into the chest to form a more natural-looking appearance.
Many patients choose to undergo a fat graft after a male mastectomy, as not only does it restore the torso’s appearance, but it can also remove unwanted excess fat to improve the appearance of other parts of the body.
Flap Surgery
Flap surgery is the most complex form of male breast reconstruction, and sees surgeons take tissue and fat from other areas of the patient’s body to create a new breast. As flap surgery allows surgeons to create a more voluminous breast, it’s often more common for women to undergo flap surgery, although it remains an option for males after a mastectomy.
Implants
Breast implants are commonly associated with women who are undergoing boob jobs for aesthetic purposes, but implants are also a post-mastectomy option for men who have recently battled breast cancer.
While many females turn to breast implants for fuller-looking breasts, male implants are smaller to recreate a natural male chest shape after breast tissue has been removed. Implants are a good option for men who may not have enough fat to undergo liposuction after a mastectomy.
Scar Revision
Men who want a less invasive option after undergoing a mastectomy often turn to scar revision. There are different methods of scar revision techniques (including laser therapy and microneedling), all designed to improve the appearance of post-surgery scars.
Often, scar revision is combined with the other options above for the most effective results.
Final Thoughts
There’s no doubt that breast cancer in men doesn’t get the same attention as female cases of breast cancer, but that also means that male breast reconstruction options are less well-known. The post-mastectomy options above come with different benefits and limitations, and the right option may depend on the patient’s fat levels as well as their desired aesthetic outcome. If you have any questions around male breast reconstruction after a mastectomy, feel free to get in touch, and we’ll be able to talk you through all of your options.