Inflammatory breast cancer survival rates?
Meet the Experts
Ruth Oratz, M.D., F.A.C.P. is associate professor of clinical medicine at New York University School of Medicine. She is the founder of The Women's Oncology & Wellness Practice in New York City where she specializes in treating women with breast cancer and other malignancies, as well as women at risk for cancer.
Beth Baughman DuPree, M.D., F.A.C.S. is a general surgeon with a focus in breast cancer care and the CEO and medical director of the Comprehensive Breast Care Institute at DSI of Bucks County, PA.
Question from Snowbird: What are survival rates for inflammatory breast cancer? I'm considering breast reconstruction (3 years after chemo) and don't know if it's "worth it."
- Answer —Ruth Oratz, M.D., F.A.C.P.: Inflammatory breast cancer is a very difficult disease to predict an outcome for. The best predictor is if the patient had a good response to initial therapy. So I'm encouraged by the fact that you have remained free of recurrence for what sounds like already a few years. I think you should discuss the details of your prognosis with your own medical oncologist and then with your plastic surgeon to find out what the different options for reconstruction are. You may opt for less involved surgery and yet still be able to have a satisfactory reconstruction. I would not say you shouldn't consider it at all.
On Wednesday, September 20, 2006, our Ask-the-Expert Online Conference was called Open for Your Questions. Ruth Oratz, M.D., F.A.C.P. and moderator Beth Baughman DuPree, M.D., F.A.C.S. answered your questions covering a wide variety of issues relating to breast cancer.
The materials presented in these conferences do not necessarily reflect the views of Breastcancer.org. A qualified healthcare professional should be consulted before using any therapeutic product or regimen discussed. All readers should verify all information and data before employing any therapies described here.
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