Surgical breast oncologist
M. Katherine Hughes, M.D.,
is a fellowship-trained surgeon specializing in the treatment of breast cancer.
She is dedicated to providing the highest quality, as well as compassionate
care, to each patient, leveraging expertise in minimally invasive techniques,
surgical breast conservation and complex reconstruction.
Along with the team of breast health specialists at King’s Daughters,
she treats all types of breast disease with new and emerging surgical
therapies, including localized partial mastectomy; nipple-sparing techniques;
oncoplastics; and hidden incisions.
Dr. Hughes approaches each patient and plan as a collaboration, with the
patient playing an integral part in decision-making to ensure her needs
and goals are met throughout treatment. “While curing a patient’s
cancer is always the most important outcome, I believe in treating the
whole patient and not just the cancer,” she said. “I strive
to help each patient to lead full and healthy lives after a cancer diagnosis
– that diagnosis should not define a woman’s life.”
Dr. Hughes earned her medical degree from the University of Miami Miller
School of Medicine in Florida and completed surgical residency at Loma
Linda University Health in California. She completed her breast surgical
oncology fellowship at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center
in Dallas.
In addition to being board certified by the American Board of Surgery,
Dr. Hughes is also a member of the American College of Surgeons, Society
of Surgical Oncology, American Society of Breast Surgeons, and the American
Medical Association.
NEW PATIENTS ARE WELCOME
Dr. Hughes sees patients at KDMS Breast Health Specialists in Ashland and
at King’s Daughters Medical Center Ohio in Portsmouth. Most patients
are seen by physician referral. Insurance plans vary, please check with
your carrier. New patients and second opinion consultations are welcome.
For more information, please call (606) 325-2221 or (740) 353-8100.
Breast Reconstruction
Many breast cancer survivors — and, increasingly, women who have
undergone preventive mastectomy — are seeking reconstructive breast
surgery to restore breast size, shape and appearance.
What Is Breast Reconstruction?
During breast reconstruction, the plastic surgeon rebuilds the breast(s)
to duplicate the size and shape prior to mastectomy. Women may choose
to have breast reconstruction at the same time as mastectomy or wait for
a period of time following treatment. The decision is based upon a number
of factors, but most important is what kind or type of follow-up treatment,
if any, she will receive after surgery.
Women undergoing radiation therapy following surgery may opt to delay reconstruction
to avoid radiation exposure of the new tissue, potential scarring and
post-surgical complications. For women who will not receive radiation
treatment, immediate reconstruction offers the benefit of one less surgery.
Types of Breast Reconstruction
Plastic surgeons can perform several types of breast reconstruction surgery.
Options include a newly shaped breast with the use of a breast implant,
your own tissue flap, or a combination of the two. A tissue flap is a
section of your own skin, fat and muscle that is moved from your stomach,
back or other area of your body to the chest area.
The implant most commonly used in conjunction with breast reconstruction
is the saline-filled implant. These implants have an external silicone
shell and are filled with salt water. Silicone gel-filled implants are
another option for breast reconstruction. No matter which implant you
and your surgeon decide on, it will be placed between layers of chest
muscle, under breast skin that will be saved during the mastectomy.
Some women can have the implant placed immediately, namely those with relaxed
muscle tone and stretchy skin, which may allow the cancer surgeon to do
a skin- and tissue-sparing mastectomy. Women with tight chest skin and
muscles, however, may need an expandable implant or a tissue expander,
which is followed by a permanent implant in a two-stage operation.
Recovery from breast reconstruction varies depending on which procedure
was performed, but typically lasts between 4 and 6 weeks.
More Information
Plastic and reconstructive surgeons W. Bryan Rogers III, M.D., and Peter
Andolina, D.O., have extensive experience in breast reconstruction following
mastectomy and are available to consult with women about their options.
New patients are welcome. For more information or to schedule an appointment,
call (606) 408-7500.
