Many post-cancer patients choose breast implants to reconstruct their breasts following mastectomy, however, a new design works beyond “physical improvement” because it could also reduce the risk of recurrence by releasing cancer-fighting drugs.
The researchers from the University of Akron have also said that they could embed diagnostic agents to the breast implants that would help detect the presence of cancer cells. This is a promising technology as one out of eight American women will develop breast cancer at some point in their lives.
In 2011, about 96,277 women had breast reconstruction surgery via implants and/or tissue-based method, data from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons show.
Currently, majority of post-cancer patients choose silicone breast implants because they tend to provide more natural results than saline implants as they are filled with a cohesive gel that simulates the “feel” of breast tissue. However, a recent study has suggested that 50 percent of women who had primary reconstruction (i.e., mastectomy and reconstructive surgery performed at the same time) will require revision surgery within 10 years of implantation due to poor outcomes and complications.
But with the new implant design, the researchers believe that the revision rate could be greatly reduced. They have developed an innovative type of rubber material that may be used as a shell of currently available breast implants.
Chemical and biomolecular engineer and lead author of the study Judit E. Puskas said his team is trying to integrate “breast reconstruction surgery with viable cancer treatment” by creating an implant shell that is lighter and stronger than traditional silicone rubber.
Puskas added that they have developed “biorubbers” that are moldable above a certain temperature, allowing them to return to their initial state upon cooling. Another notable feature is that they are impermeable, meaning they prevent the filler materials (either silicone gel or saline solution) to seep through the shell.
Because the “biorubbers” are impermeable, they can prevent silicone gel leak, which in turn reduces the risk of capsular contracture or tissue hardening.
Many experts have suggested that capsular contracture happens when minute silicone gel seeps out of the implant shell, forcing the body to create a denser scar capsule tissue as a defense mechanism that would eventually constrict the implants inside.
Because of the unique qualities of “biorubbers,” the researchers believe that they could serve as a vehicle for painkillers and drugs to kill cancer cells and reduce the risk of inflammation.
The synthetic rubbers can be spun into a fiber mat, which can be attached to the breast implants, the researchers added.
