Many patients ask in jest if they can use their own fat for breast augmentation–”Couldn’t you just take my belly fat and put it up a little higher?” Although presently not a reality, this may indeed be a possibility in the future. Research is presently being done to test the possibility of using a person’s own fat-derived stem cells to help tissue and fat regenerate in another part of the body. The research is focused at this time on the hope that when these cells are injected back into the same patient, the cells will regenerate. This would be a ground-breaking development in a variety of situations such as post-mastectomy breast reconstruction and cosmetic breast augmentation where the patient’s own fat cells could be used to regenerate and reconstruct the breast tissue. Of course, this is only in the research stage at present and much experimentation and testing must be done to insure the safety of using these types of cells in humans. But as is often the case, it is plastic surgeons who are leading the way in this exciting field, and while much more work needs to be done on this theory, the early studies are most encouraging. Stay tuned for further developments!!

One of the more exciting events that occurred this past October is the Jordan Hospital’s opening of its State-of-The-Art Breast Center. This Center is a community-based comprehensive diagnostic and treatment center providing “one stop shopping.” The facility is a full service center offering digital screening and diagnostic mammography, stereotactic core biopsy, breast ultrasound exams, breast biopsy, and breast MRI. A multidisciplinary team staffs the Center and includes radiologists, pathologists, oncologists, nurses, technologists and other support staff proving a wide range of services.The surgeons and specialists are specifically trained to handle complex breast pathology as a team. The patient receives the best and most up-to-date care all under one roof. Surgical treatment options in particular, are comprehensive and involve a multidisciplinary approach as exemplified by the close coordination between breast cancer surgeon, Dr. Dominic Zazzarino and plastic and reconstructive surgeon, Dr. Stephen Delia, with Dr. Delia offering the post-mastectomy patient the full gamut of breast reconstrucion options. Patients can make an informed decision as to whether prosthetic breast reconstruction or reconstruction using their own tissue (called autologous reconstruction) is best for them. The most exciting aspect of this venture, however, is that now women can feel confident that they can indeed receive Quality Care Close to Home!