Prosthesis

Prosthesis is a device designed to replace a missing part of the body or to make a part of the body work better. Diseased or missing eyes, arms, hands, legs, or joints are commonly replaced by prosthetic devices. Sometimes, parts of the body must be removed if they contain cancer that could grow and spread. Prostheses are used to help a person look as though the body part had never been removed, and to help the person function as normally as possible. 

There are many different types of prostheses. Some are external (worn on the outside) and can be put on and taken off, and others are implanted during surgery. Those most commonly needed by people with cancer are prostheses for the breast, leg, or testicles and penile implants. Wigs used to cover the short-term hair loss that may happen with some kinds of chemo can also be considered prostheses. In our hospital your doctor will discuss about prosthesis before surgery and will let you know if you might need prosthesis. He/ She will tell you if the prosthesis can be placed or implanted during surgery. (Prostheses for testicles, breasts, and some limbs may be implanted during the first surgery.)