MEDICAL CRUSADERS MOVES SURGERIES AHEAD OF THE CURVE by: Dr. Robert L. Bard
This past year alone, the wave of technical advancements is nothing short of a movement that solidly defines the future of medicine itself. Life extension protocols such as non-invasive surgeries, integrative onco-immunology, cellular regenerative therapies and the use of modern materials such as advanced ultrasonic and laser technologies are all leading us to a 'TREKIAN' reality (for those that have an appreciation for sci-fi marvels come to life).
Meet Dr. Stephen Chagares (Tinton Falls, NJ), a visionary in laparoscopic and robotic breast surgery who recently brought the discipline of Dr. Antonio Toesca at The European Institute of Oncology in Milan Italy to our shores. According to clinical trials published by Dr. Toesca, “...robotic nipple sparing mastectomy and immediate breast reconstruction authors found two main advantages such as the robotic optical vision and the minimal invasiveness.”
Dr. Chagares expresses a deep appreciation for the development of this technology as another "great tool in the toolbox". The developer of his Da Vinci surgical system (by INTUITIVE) joins in his success and all visionaries of the technology. “The future of minimally invasive care spans the patient journey from early diagnosis to treatment and beyond,” said Julian Nikolchev, President of Intuitive Ventures. ”Intuitive Ventures is investing in cutting-edge innovation across the continuum of care to bring the future forward.”
On Sept. 14, 2018, he successfully achieved being the first in the United States to perform robotic nipple sparing mastectomy on a female cancer patient to be followed by immediate reconstruction. Yvonne Zucco was an ideal candidate and the first recipient for a skin, nipple and areola-sparing mastectomy with immediate multi-stage reconstruction. This presented major advantages over conventional procedures including a significant reduction in procedural time (from 7 to 3 hours), a remarkable recovery in range of motion and according to published 5 year data, ZERO cancer recurrence and equal oncologic outcomes.
Dr. Chagares is proud to lead the first program of its kind in the U.S.--paving the way for a future of breast cancer care, starting with robotic mastectomy. He offers this revolutionary procedure at various hospitals throughout Monmouth County, New Jersey. "Robotic mastectomy, with immediate reconstruction, opens the door to a new era of mastectomy and a new outlook for patients who are candidates, offering a modern approach to an operation that has been so physically, emotionally and psychologically scarring is remarkable," says Dr. Chagares.
Dr. Chagares is proud to lead the first program of its kind in the U.S.--paving the way for a future of breast cancer care, starting with robotic mastectomy. He offers this revolutionary procedure at various hospitals throughout Monmouth County, New Jersey. "Robotic mastectomy, with immediate reconstruction, opens the door to a new era of mastectomy and a new outlook for patients who are candidates, offering a modern approach to an operation that has been so physically, emotionally and psychologically scarring is remarkable," says Dr. Chagares.
The Male Breast Cancer Coalition and MBCC medical advisory board member recognized Dr. Chagares’ achievements as well as the benefits of the procedural innovation that he brings to the cancer treatment community. Recent news features Dr. Chagares is also the first to successfully perform this procedure on a male patient worldwide. On October 12, 2018, Brian Thompson, 34 (L-image insert), recently underwent bilateral mastectomy with robotic assistance for growing and painful tumors from a disorder called Pseudoangiomatous Stromal Hyperplasia (PASH). Dr. Chagares removed all of the male patient's breast tissue from both breasts through single incisions under the armpits, eliminating incisions and scarring on the breasts.
Twelve hours after surgery, the patient carried full range of shoulder motion and was discharged from the hospital with drains with a completely positive report in his first postoperative week. Brian is said to be pain-free for the first time in four years. He fortunately had non-malignant tumors on pathology. Brian’s story is very important in that men have to understand that all breast lumps are not “just” gynecomastia. There are many types of breast masses in men just like women, and some are cancerous. Men’s breast masses need complete evaluation and can not be overlooked. There should be no stigma for men to discuss and work-up their breast masses, it can be life-saving.
As an advanced cancer imaging specialist and the founder of a major breast cancer diagnostics program in NYC, Dr. Bard often partners with top practitioners and “out of the box” professionals who, like him, subscribe to innovations that bring new benefits and advanced results to help patients and the overall treatment process. “...I completely support the implementation of Dr. Chagares’ talents and this advanced method in our medical community where more patients would truly benefit from this – it addresses everything I would look for, from accuracy, safety and better recovery time. I also acknowledge his research and determination seeking this protocol from beyond local means- where in many cases, other countries tend to bring more to the table! I have similarly brought back new non-invasive imaging technologies from Europe and Japan and made them available to our local medical community, so I appreciate the scientific dedication he has exhibited.”
“For treatment of cancer or pre-cancerous tissue or risk reduction for patients who have a high risk of developing breast cancer such as BRCA1 or 2 mutation patients… this procedure is still a mastectomy but it uses the robot to assist (me) the surgeon to make an incision not on the breast itself but on the side.” States Dr. Chagares. “When the patient wakes up, their cancer is gone or their risk is minimized, there are no scars on the breast, the nipples and areolae are intact, the implants are in and they don’t need any other operation. From the patient’s perspective, both psycho-socially and physically, it’s an amazing procedure and I can’t wait to be able to offer it to more breast cancer patients.”
The future of medical treatments and surgical procedures continues to advance at a remarkable rate with significant evidence of improved success and survival rate, the reduction of risk and post-op issues as well as better recovery time. Factors as these help drive engineers, surgeons and investors alike to a united front to bring a new era in the healing arts.
Other related articles:
References:
https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/first-male-robotic-mastectomy-worldwide-performed-by-dr-stephen-a-chagares-300725241.html
https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/first-robotic-mastectomy-performed-for-cancer-in-the-united-states-by-dr-stephen-a-chagares-300726818.html
...................................................................................................................................................................
Sponsors & Endorsements:
Disclaimer & Copyright Notice: The materials provided on this website/web-based article are copyrighted and the intellectual property of the publishers/producers (The NY Cancer Resource Alliance/IntermediaWorx inc. and Bard Diagnostic Research & Educational Programs). It is provided publicly strictly for informational purposes within non-commercial use and not for purposes of resale, distribution, public display or performance. Unless otherwise indicated on this web based page, sharing, re-posting, re-publishing of this work is strictly prohibited without due permission from the publishers. Also, certain content may be licensed from third-parties. The licenses for some of this Content may contain additional terms. When such Content licenses contain additional terms, we will make these terms available to you on those pages (which his incorporated herein by reference).The publishers/producers of this site and its contents such as videos, graphics, text, and other materials published are not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. For any questions you may have regarding a medical condition, please always seek the advice of your physician or a qualified health provider. Do not postpone or disregard any professional medical advice over something you may have seen or read on this website. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or 9-1-1 immediately. This website does not support, endorse or recommend any specific products, tests, physicians, procedures, treatment opinions or other information that may be mentioned on this site. Referencing any content or information seen or published in this website or shared by other visitors of this website is solely at your own risk. The publishers/producers of this Internet web site reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to modify, disable access to, or discontinue, temporarily or permanently, all or any part of this Internet web site or any information contained thereon without liability or notice to you.
