Buongiorno Regione — TGR Campania, Rai 3, 18 July 2026
As a studio guest on Buongiorno Regione, the morning programme of TGR Campania on Rai 3, Prof. Alfredo Borriello discussed breast reconstruction after breast cancer. It is a field in which plastic surgery has made huge strides: today reconstruction is planned together with the oncological pathway, often even before the tumour is removed, and in many cases the patient leaves the operating room already with her breast. This article covers the key points of the interview.
"Breast reconstructive surgery has made huge strides in recent years and can offer a wide range of solutions depending on the patient's problems and needs." With these words Prof. Borriello opened the interview, stressing that there is no one-size-fits-all reconstruction.
Implants, tissue expanders, the patient's own tissue, fat grafting: the choice depends on the type of cancer surgery, any subsequent treatments, body shape and the woman's expectations. The plastic surgeon's task is to identify, case by case, the most suitable solution.
Overcoming the disease is the first goal, but not the only one. Reconstruction, Prof. Borriello explained, allows the patient to regain her body image, to recognise herself in the mirror again and to process an impact that can be psychologically devastating.
This is why breast reconstruction is not an accessory part of treatment: it has a real effect on quality of life after cancer, on femininity, on relationships and on the return to everyday life.
"Reconstructive surgery is essential because it allows patients, beyond overcoming the disease, to have a new body image, to see themselves again and to overcome the psychological impact of breast cancer." — Prof. Alfredo Borriello
The point Prof. Borriello emphasised most was multidisciplinary work. The patient's pathway is planned from the start together with the other specialists involved:
Knowing the whole pathway in advance makes it possible to plan the reconstruction even before the tumour is removed and to choose the most suitable procedure "for that type of patient and that type of problem", rather than intervening only once treatment is over.
The presenter noted that these procedures now have a very high success rate, both functionally and aesthetically. Prof. Borriello confirmed that the oncological, "demolitive" phase has also become much more conservative and faster than in the past.
An important contribution comes from endoscopic surgery and, when indicated, from robotic surgery: techniques that reduce the impact of the operation and pave the way for increasingly immediate reconstructions.
Today, when conditions allow, immediate reconstructions directly with implants are performed: reconstruction takes place in the same operation in which the tumour is removed, without waiting for a second procedure to recreate breast volume.
This is made possible by advanced materials and technologies: in addition to implants, biological membranes and meshes that support and protect the implant, contributing to a stable reconstruction with a natural profile.
The benefit for the patient, Prof. Borriello explained, is that she leaves the operating room already with her breast, without experiencing a mutilation. This profoundly changes how the operation is lived.
To close, the presenter asked for a message to women facing this journey. The answer was clear: rely on experienced professionals and choose a pathway where there is genuine interdisciplinary collaboration.
This is the condition for achieving the best possible solution, tailoring every case: each patient has a different clinical history, body and expectations, and reconstruction must take them into account.
It means reconstructing the breast in the same operation in which the mastectomy is performed. The patient wakes up with breast volume already in place, instead of waiting months for a second procedure. It differs from delayed reconstruction, which is performed at a later stage.
No. Eligibility depends on the type of tumour and cancer surgery, the need for radiotherapy, tissue quality and the patient's general condition. This is why the decision is made together with the breast surgeon, oncologist and radiation oncologist: in some cases a two-stage reconstruction with an expander, or with the patient's own tissue, is preferable.
They are materials placed around the implant to support it, protect it and stabilise its position. In many cases they allow immediate reconstruction with definitive implants, improving implant coverage and the naturalness of the result.
Because the choice of reconstructive technique depends on the entire treatment pathway: the type of cancer surgery, planned therapies and any radiotherapy. Planning ahead as a team makes it possible to choose the most suitable solution and, when possible, to reconstruct the breast in the same operation.
This content is intended for informational and educational purposes only. It does not in any way replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. For any medical questions or concerns, it is essential to consult your physician or a qualified specialist.
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