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Clinical trial tests less painful breast tissue expander

Remote-controlled, needle-free system helps mastectomy patients return to normal

Joan Greffrath of Worcester is treating her breast cancer diagnosis the way her mother approached her own battles with cancer: with humor and grace. Her positive attitude explains why she considers it “a gift” to participate in a new clinical trial for breast reconstruction after mastectomy being conducted by John Castle, MD, clinical assistant professor of surgery and plastic surgery director at the UMass Memorial Comprehensive Breast Center. The randomized, controlled clinical study is designed to directly compare the outcomes of the traditional saline tissue expansion method to an investigational, remote-controlled, needle-free, tissue expansion system known as The AeroForm Patient Controlled Tissue Expander System. UMass Memorial is one of 10 clinical trial sites across the country.