New developments are being hailed in the press. One involves a process by Cytori to use stem cells harvested from fat to make breast tissue:

Cytori’s process for reconstructing or augmenting breasts relies on the recent discovery that human fat contains an amazing concentration of stem cells—cells that can be separated out using a centrifuge. That’s the science part. The artistry comes in when the surgeon makes tiny incisions for depositing the enriched fat cells, building a breast one dot-sized injection at a time like a 3-D pointillist.

Source: http://www.wired.com/magazine/2010/10/ff_futureofbreasts/

The concept of making breasts (or enhancing them) through stem cells is pretty cool. No implants. Potentially great for cancer patients.

The big problem is that the science is unclear on several very important points:

(1) Will the Injected Cells Have Any Carcinogenicity? – The new cells will be cultured cells derived from stem cells harvested from fat. Will they have any potential to become cancerous?

(2) What will be the Long Term Fate of these Cells? – Ideally, they would just grow into the host tissue and act like regular breast cells. What if they don’t? Will they degenerate or become scar? Will they pose any harm to the patient?

(3) What will this cost? – Cost curtails current natural breast enhancement using fat. Most patients don’t have the time (2-4 operations) or the money ($20,000 plus) to have their own fat placed within their breasts.

This is a pretty cool concept, but at this point it is only that.

Best Regards,

John Di Saia MD