Breast cancer is a complex disease that can affect all aspects of a woman's life. When receiving a diagnosis of breast cancer, there is much to take in-fears and concerns to overcome, treatment options to decide, and outcomes to consider (Breast Care, Treatment and Reconstruction QMP: Saint Louis-Missouri, 2011). Fortunately, with advancements and innovations in breast cancer treatment, patients are recovering well and living longer. Nevertheless, now they face new challenges triggered by the long-term effects of the cancer treatment in their quality of life (Breast Sensations Research Report Inspired Health, October 2020; Breast Cancer 2018; doi: 10.1007/s12282-018-0862-8).
After a mastectomy, one of the undesirable consequences experienced by women is the loss of sensation to the breast skin and nipple. Lack of sensation of the reconstructed breast may be a minor problem for some patients, but a fundamental one for others, leading to a negative impact on their lives (J Plast Reconstr Aesthet Surg 2021; doi: 10.1016/j.bjps.2020.11.021).
Explaining Post-Mastectomy Numbness
When a mastectomy is performed and breast tissue is removed, nerves that provide sensation to the breast and the overlying skin are removed as well. Once cut, nerves are unable to carry signals back and forth leaving a woman's chest anywhere from partially to completely numb.
This loss can be devastating in unexpected ways and can impact quality of life, intimacy, and body image (Breast Sensations Research Report Inspired Health, October 2020; J Plast Reconstr Aesthet Surg 2021; doi: 10.1016/j.bjps.2020.11.021). Sensation loss can lead to diminished sexual arousal, negatively impact self-esteem, and potentially lead to physical harm or injury. Women may be unable to feel changes in temperature, increasing their risk for accidental burns due to sun exposure, flat irons and curling irons, or kitchen accidents (Aesthet Surg J 2021;41(7):NP773-NP779). Some women mention the sadness of realizing they can't feel their partner or their children's hugs and kisses, or a head on their chest because of the loss of sensory awareness.
Studies have shown that only 30-60 percent of women spontaneously recover some sensation after a mastectomy. However, this happens randomly, and many women do not recover sensation at all (J Plast Reconstr Aesthet Surg 2021; doi: 10.1016/j.bjps.2020.11.021).
Understanding Choices for Reconstruction
Breast reconstruction is the act of rebuilding a breast after a full or partial mastectomy. This can be confusing, however, as it is not recreating the same breasts or the physical purpose of the breast (such as milk-producing tissue) again. Instead, it is an aesthetic procedure that many women choose to recreate the look of the breast (Breast Care, Treatment and Reconstruction QMP: Saint Louis-Missouri, 2011).
The decision to consider breast reconstruction after mastectomy is fully personal. Women might seek reconstruction to improve their sense of femininity, self-confidence, and sexual attractiveness. Other women might choose breast reconstruction as a means to restore their body image and feel more whole after the cancer experience (Breast Care, Treatment and Reconstruction QMP: Saint Louis-Missouri, 2011; J Plast Reconstr Aesthet Surg 2021; doi: 10.1016/j.bjps.2020.11.021; Breast Cancer Res Treat 2018; https://doi.org/10.1007/s10549-017-4547-3).
As medical professionals, it is our responsibility to make sure every breast cancer patient understands her options, so she can make informed decisions to help support long-term quality of life. Unfortunately, sensation loss after mastectomy is common, but isn't consistently discussed between a woman and her care team. Physicians are generally taught that loss of sensation after a mastectomy is a given, and that there is very little they can do to improve it. Literature on sensory recovery is also variable, so physicians avoid presenting the subject to their patients.
Advancements in Neurotization
As we continue to push breast reconstructive surgery forward, patient expectations have also evolved. They are looking for more than the creation of a breast mound and seeking the restoration of breast functionality. The nipple-areolar complex is the signature element of the breast and its preservation is associated with superior psychological outcomes in breast reconstruction. Nipple sparing mastectomy has been widely adopted for immediate breast reconstruction patients due to better aesthetic results without significantly affecting local recurrence or survival rates relative to skin sparing or conventional mastectomy (Breast Cancer 2018; doi: 10.1007/s12282-018-0862-8).
The question we should try to answer is: Does your reconstructed breast feel like your own? It is questionable whether this goal can be achieved by the reconstruction of a mound of soft tissue alone. Although aesthetically pleasing, active effort is required to restore sensation to the breast (J Plast Reconstr Aesthet Surg 2021; doi: 10.1016/j.bjps.2020.11.021). Thanks to advancements in breast neurotization (reconnecting nerves cut during a mastectomy), we can now help our patients look and feel more like themselves again (Breast Sensations Research Report Inspired Health, October 2020).
We work together as a team, each involved in the surgical treatment of our patients. During the reconstruction, we perform Resensation, a surgical technique that uses a nerve allograft to reconnect nerves cut during a mastectomy (Breast J 2019; doi: 10.1111/tbj.13420). Over time, the allograft guides regrowth of nerve fibers and can lead to restored sensation to the breast tissue.
When discussing this technique with our patients, we explain to them that we are still learning and evaluating outcomes of the procedure. However, we know that we are on the right path and that restoring breast sensation can be impactful.
In a recent study, women reported that regaining breast sensation helped them recover and move on from their experience with cancer, the mastectomy, and the reconstruction process (Breast Care, Treatment and Reconstruction QMP: Saint Louis-Missouri, 2011). They also stated that regaining sensation helped them feel more normal and more like their old selves. In fact, 97 percent of women interviewed for this study who underwent the procedure:
* would recommend that a friend or family member explore neurotization options;
* noted potential rewards in terms of physical and emotional impact and quality of life outweighed potential risk of the procedure not being successful; and
* believe that restoring breast sensation should become standard of care for breast reconstruction.
Moving Forward
Now that this type of groundbreaking technology is widely available, we believe that sensation loss after mastectomy needs to be discussed much earlier in the patient pathway. As surgeons, we must do more to educate women about why mastectomy can lead to chest numbness and inform them about the technology available that may restore sensation during reconstruction.
With advanced neurotization techniques paving the way, we have even more options available for helping to restore some normalcy for our patients. The opportunity to not face the rest of their life with an unexpectedly numb chest is a huge step in the right direction. By communicating openly about this issue from the start, we can help patients look-and feel-like themselves again.
ANGELA KELEHER, MD, is Director of the Division of Breast Surgery, and ANDREA MOREIRA, MD, is Co-Director of Reconstructive Breast Surgery, both at the Allegheny Health Network in Pennsylvania.