Follow-up Muscle/MastX ?

Thank you for your previous response. I appreciate the time you volunteer to this site. It is very valuable.

Can you comment on the rest of my questions in my previous post:

- Is it appropriate to choose a surgeon on whether or not he/she is successful at TAKING NO MUSCLE AT ALL, except when location of cancer precludes it?

- Is it appropriate to ask this question of a potential surgeon?

- Do the surgeons keep records on their success/failure at TAKING NO MUSCLE?

- Even if minimal muscle is taken what is the potential morbidity of the chest muscle? Loss of strength, range of motion?

Thanks again for your time.

[Cleveland Clinic]

Dear Strike3:  As mentioned in our prior answer, a modified radical mastectomy would not remove any muscle.  Neither would partial mastectomy, or lumpectomy.  The ONLY procedure that would remove muscle would be a RADICAL MASTECTOMY.  This procedure is done only rarely and only when the chest wall is involved.  You are certainly free to ask the surgeon about his/her technique.  I doubt there will be any records of success/failure because removing the muscle would not be a part of the procedure so there would be nothing to document.  With today's techniques and the expertise of breast specific surgeons, there should be no morbidity to the chest muscle as it is left intact.  As a general rule, if a small amount of muscle is removed, there is little to no morbidity.  Since you are concerned about this, please shop for an experienced breast surgeon and ask all of your questions so that you are comfortable.