"Helena Clinic"

"Helena Clinic" is a private clinic located in Finland. The clinic specializes in plastic surgery, breast cancer treatment, melanoma and skin cancer surgery, and the clinic performs complex microsurgical reconstructive operations. "Helena Clinic" was founded in 1999, and since then, patients from all over Finland and other countries come to the clinic for operations performed by the clinic's chief physician, Helena Puonti, MD.

Dr. Helena Puonti is the founder and head of the "Helena Clinic", has 30 years of experience as a surgeon, for many years she headed the Savonlinna Central Hospital as the chief surgeon, and was awarded the title of "Best oncologist in Finland".

Doctor Puonti specializes in complex oncoplastic interventions and microsurgical reconstructive operations. For scientific research and development of a unique method of reconstructive microsurgery in 2017, Helena Puonti received the degree of Doctor of Medical Sciences.

"Helena Clinic" deals with complex treatment of breast cancer, which includes the following stages:

all studies necessary to establish and clarify the diagnosis using modern radiological equipment and with mandatory histological verification of the tumor
surgical removal of the tumor using oncoplastic surgery techniques, as well as radioisotope selection of "sentinel" lymph nodes. Determination of "sentinel" lymph nodes is carried out before and during the operation on the basis of radioisotope mapping data. According to the results of the study of "sentinel" lymph nodes for metastasis, the surgeon makes a decision on the necessary volume of their removal. Conducting such a study has become a modern standard in breast cancer surgery and allows regional lymph nodes to be preserved if there are no signs of metastasis.
antitumor chemotherapy; it is usually performed after surgery, except for some forms of breast cancer, when treatment begins with chemotherapy. During chemotherapy treatment, the oncologist prescribes supportive therapy to help the patient feel well and lead a normal life.
radiotherapy; it is performed, according to the recommendations of European oncologists, within 3 (sometimes 4) weeks
hormone therapy; it can be recommended for patients with hormone-dependent tumors. Modern anti-estrogen drugs are easily tolerated and do not cause side effects.

75% of breast cancer removal operations at "Helena Clinic" are oncoplastic organ-sparing operations. In cases where the tumor is too large or multifocal, patients undergo mastectomy with immediate or delayed breast reconstruction.

Options for breast reconstruction after mastectomy:

reconstruction of the shape of the breast with the help of installing implants or an expander prosthesis, which is later replaced by a permanent implant. When choosing a method, an oncoplastic surgeon is primarily guided by the principles of safety for the patient's health and offers a method that will ensure a long-term and aesthetically attractive result.
reconstruction by transplanting the patient's own tissues is the most natural way to restore the shape of the breast. Dr. Helena Puonti performs all the most complex microsurgical breast reconstructions (LD-reconstruction, neuromicrovascular ms-TRAM reconstruction, and others), including the unique "sensitive breast" method, which allows skin sensitivity to be restored in the breast after reconstruction.

Helena Clinic The method of lipotransplantation can be used to restore small breasts or correct the shape of the breasts. Adipose tissue for transplantation is very carefully, without damaging the cells, extracted by the method of water jet liposuction from the places of its accumulation on the body and transferred to the breast area. The lipotransplantation method takes time, as repeated fat tissue transfer procedures are usually required to obtain the desired volume.

The "Helena Clinic" has developed a method of 3D modeling of the shape of the breast. This method allows for the most accurate planning of reconstructive operations. By combining special three-dimensional images with ultrasound data, a specially created simulation program helps to take into account the peculiarities of the body and during reconstructive surgery to achieve a result that meets the wishes of the patient.

Treatment of breast cancer is sometimes complicated by lymphostasis of the hand, which occurs after extensive removal of axillary lymph nodes. Treatment of lymphostasis has been carried out at the "Helena Clinic" for many years. The clinic has accumulated experience in the surgical treatment of insufficiency of the lymphatic channel, including microsurgery and lymph node transplantation.

Rehabilitation during and after breast cancer treatment is a very important stage in the treatment process, to which the "Helena Clinic" pays close attention. The involvement of such specialists as a physiotherapist, psychologist, nutritionist, cosmetologist, sexologist and reproductive specialist makes the path to treatment more direct and calm.

For women who plan to have children after breast cancer treatment, the "Helena Clinic" has developed a pregnancy planning and management program by an oncologist and reproductive specialist.

At the Helena Clinic, patients are always surrounded by the attention and care of the staff. In the clinic, they speak many languages and find understanding with patients and their relatives. After the end of the treatment, patients can contact "Helena's Clinic" at any time with a question or help.