Plastic-reconstructive surgery
Breast surgery: Optimal oncologically safe and cosmetically satisfying results for a lifetime
We treat breast cancer, known as mammary carcinoma, step by step. Surgery is a vital component of breast cancer therapy. Our specialists place the highest value on oncological safety and optimal surgical outcomes. Scars stay with you for a lifetime, which is why we adapt the surgery to your wishes and individual needs. Your treatment is in the hands of specialized breast surgeons certified by the German Cancer Society (DKG). We perform more than 1,000 plastic-reconstructive procedures annually at our center. If it is necessary to remove the breast, we place an implant during the same operation whenever possible—so you wake up with a breast.
Breast Center defines global standards for breast reconstruction
We have created and further developed standards, such as a special form of breast reconstruction known as plastic reduction. This method preserves as much healthy breast tissue as possible. We introduced this variant as a tumor-location-adapted surgical procedure, meaning it depends on exactly where the tumor is located. Another development at KEM is the anatomically guided subcutaneous mastectomy—the removal of breast and mammary gland tissue takes place while preserving the entire skin and, above all, the nipple. Simultaneously, we reconstruct the lost volume using an implant. Furthermore, we offer the option of reconstructing your breast with your own body tissue, depending on your preference. Thanks to interdisciplinary cooperation with other institutions and a productive professional exchange, we collaborate here with top-tier experts in the field of plastic-reconstructive surgery.
With over 600 implant placements annually for both purely aesthetic and medically necessary reasons, we are one of the leading plastic-reconstructive and aesthetic centers in Europe.
Male breast diseases
Men can get breast cancer too! Out of 100 new breast cancer diagnoses, one affects a man and 99 affect women. Knowledge regarding the optimal therapy for this rare male disease is limited. PD Dr. Mattea Reinisch led the world’s first study on anti-hormonal therapy in men with breast cancer (Reinisch et al., Male, JAMA 2021, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33538790/). We possess extensive clinical expertise in the various treatment steps of breast cancer and, above all, in the surgical approach. We would be happy to advise you individually on this.
For example, even when breast cancer is detected in a man, complete breast removal is not always necessary. In many cases, the nipple can also be preserved, and the gentle removal of the lymph nodes in the armpit is standard practice for us. We regularly care for men with breast cancer, are deeply involved in the subject, and are here for you!
Integrative Oncology
What you can achieve
- Alleviation of side effects during oncological therapy
- Improvement of quality of life
- Alleviation of cancer-related exhaustion (fatigue syndrome) and sleep disorders
- Long-term support in coping with the disease
- Strengthening of self-healing powers
- Help in implementing a health-promoting lifestyle
- Psycho-oncology
Transgender surgery
Our expertise
Our breast center is characterized by a specialized range of treatments in the field of breast modification. We enjoy an excellent national and international reputation. With more than 2,100 breast operations annually, our individual surgeons possess proven expertise. We cover the entire surgical spectrum of breast surgery—from breast-conserving surgical techniques and breast reconstructions with implants to microsurgical tissue flaps or lymph node transplants.
In female-to-male gender reassignment (masculinization surgery), we perform the removal of the mammary gland (mastectomy) while preserving the nipple and areola (nipple-areola complex / NAC), even with large breasts. Augmentation—that is, breast construction—is a significant part of feminization surgery in the male-to-female transition. The procedure usually involves breast construction using silicone implants placed on or under the pectoralis major muscle. We accompany you through the entire treatment process with our clinical expertise and our large team.
In cooperation with the Clinic for Urology, the Clinic for Plastic and Aesthetic Surgery, and the Clinic for Gynecology and Gynecological Oncology, we are together a center for surgeries for gender dysphoria and urogenital malformations. Would you like to find out more? You can find our detailed information on the Transgender Surgery Center page.
Genetic counseling
Breast cancer can occur in a small percentage of cases due to hereditary factors. Especially when several cases of the disease occur in the family or at a young age, it is possible to determine through a genetic blood test whether changes in certain genes are present.
This could influence the type of surgical treatment, drug therapy, or intensified early detection or follow-up care.
We offer detailed advice on this topic and the possibility of testing for a hereditary cause of the disease. In addition, testing for a gene mutation already known in the family is possible. We work closely with the Center for Familial Breast and Ovarian Cancer at Cologne University Hospital.
Appointments
Call Center 0201-174-33003
Email I.Bednarz@kem-med.com or J.Yazgan@kem-med.com
