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MEDICAL ANIMATION TRANSCRIPT: The mammary glands lie inside the breast over the pectoralis major muscle, surrounded by adipose and connective tissue. The mammary gland is composed of groups of lobules that form lobes, which drain through lactiferous ducts to the nipple. Epithelial cells line the lactiferous ducts and lobules. Each lobule is composed of several small sacs called acini. During pregnancy, specialized secretory cells develop in the acini and, after birth, secrete milk. Lymph nodes and vessels surround the breast radially and drain to axillary lymphatics. Like all cancers, breast cancer begins with cell DNA damage. Most breast cancers form in duct epithelial cells. The more these cells grow, the greater chance for DNA damage to occur. A cell with damaged DNA exhibits uncontrolled growth. This mass of cells is a developing breast cancer tumor. The stimulus for breast tissue growth is estrogen produced by the ovaries during a woman's reproductive years. Therefore, the longer the time between puberty and menopause, the greater the chance for developing breast cancer. Some breast cancers come from inherited DNA changes or mutations. For example, the genes BRCA1 and BRCA2 normally keep cancer cells from forming by repairing or destroying cells with damaged DNA. Mutations to these genes allow damaged cells to live and continue proliferating, resulting in the formation of cancerous tumors. As tumors invade the surrounding tissue, cells may break off into a lymphatic vessel. Displaced tumor cells travel through the lymphatics and become metastatic tumors elsewhere. Other risk factors for breast cancer include hormone use or exposure and composition of breast tissue. While rare, it is important to note that men can also get breast cancer. Primary treatment for breast cancer depends on the size of the tumor, lymph node involvement, and metastasis. Generally, breast-conserving lumpectomy procedures remove single tumors less than five centimeters with no invasion of the chest wall. For larger tumors or multiple tumors with no chest wall invasion, the usual treatment is modified radical mastectomy. In this procedure, all of the breast tissue, including breast and axillary lymph nodes, are removed. With larger tumors and chest wall invasion, a radical mastectomy removes the entire breast, lymphatics, and chest wall muscles. Radiation therapy reduces the risk of cancer cells recurring postoperatively. Chemotherapy uses a combination of drugs to destroy cancer cells.
"I have found that the personalized medical illustrations prepared by Medical
Legal Art have been very accurate and helpful. The medical doctors, both
treating physicians and expert witnesses, have commented on the accuracy and
professionalism of the medical illustrations. Most importantly, your prompt
service and attention upon even short notice has been tremendous. I can
certainly say that the medical illustrations prepared by Medical Legal Art
have assisted us in bringing cases to a successful resolution."
Paul L. Redfearn
The Redfearn Law Firm, P.C.
Kansas City, MO
"Our practice involves medical negligence cases exclusively. We have six
attorneys and one physician on staff. We have used Medical Legal Art's
staff for every one of our cases over the past 12 years and have found their
services to be extraordinary. The transformation of medical records into
powerful graphic images has without fail been handled expertly,
expeditiously and effectively translating into superb results for our
clients, both in the courtroom and in settlement. Every case can benefit
from their excellent work and we unqualifiedly recommend their services.
They are the best!"
Chris Otorowski
Morrow and Otorowski
Bainbridge Island, Washington
www.medilaw.com
"We are extremely pleased with the quality of the medical exhibits and the
timely manner in which they were provided. I will certainly recommend
your company to my business associates who could benefit from your services.
Please tell Brian Wilson [Director of Content Development, Senior Medical
Illustrator] that he did an exceptional job on these exhibits."
K. Henderson
Dunaway and Associates
Anderson, SC
"The illustrations have consistently been well documented, accurate and
timely. Most important though is that the illustrations demonstrate to
juries and claims people the persuasive power of visual communication. Our
firm has achieved multiple eight figure settlements and verdicts over the
past ten years... Medical Legal Art has been there with us on every case."
Thomas C. Jones
Davis, Bethune & Jones, L.L.C.
Kansas City, MO www.dbjlaw.net
Medical Legal Art creates medical demonstrative evidence (medical
illustrations, drawings, pictures, graphics, charts, medical animations,
anatomical models, and interactive presentations) for use during legal
proceedings, including research, demand letters, client conferences,
depositions, arbitrations, mediations, settlement conferences, mock jury
trials and for use in the courtroom. We do not provide legal or medical
advice. If you have legal questions, you should find a lawyer with whom you
can discuss your case issues. If you have medical questions, you should seek the advice of a healthcare provider.
