Effectiveness of Acupuncture in Post-Mastectomy Patients With Tissue Expanders

Effectiveness of Acupuncture in Post-Mastectomy Patients With Tissue Expanders

The primary purpose of this study is to evaluate changes in shoulder tightness, chest tightness, and general pain related to post-mastectomy reconstructive surgery with tissue expansion in women who are randomized to receive acupuncture treatment immediately after surgery (twice a week for 6 weeks) compared to those who are randomized to no acupuncture treatment for 6 weeks, but offered acupuncture at the end of the 6 week study period.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Women who are newly diagnosed with breast cancer, enrolled in the The Breast Cancer Database of NYU Cancer Center (BCD) and who are having breast cancer surgery involving a mastectomy procedure with insertion of a tissue expander for reconstructive purposes
• Women who are newly diagnosed with breast cancer
• Women who are enrolled in the Breast Cancer Database (BCD)
• Women who are having breast cancer surgery involving a mastectomy procedure with insertion of a tissue expander for reconstructive purposes

Exclusion Criteria:

• Women who had neoadjuvant chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy, women who are currently on anticoagulant therapy, women who are having breast reconstruction with Alloderm, women who have chronic pre-operative pain, and/or women who have had a history of previous implants or prior augmentations
• Women who had neoadjuvant chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy
• Women who are currently on anticoagulant therapy
• Women who are having breast reconstruction with Alloderm
• Women who have chronic pre-operative pain
• Women who have had a history of previous implants or prior augmentations
• Women who are currently on anticoagulant therapy
• Women who are having breast reconstruction with Alloderm
• Women who have chronic pre-operative pain
• Women who have had a history of previous implants or prior augmentations