Member Comments are provided by individuals and reflect their personal opinions only. Under NO circumstances should you act on any advice or opinion posted in this forum. ALWAYS check with your personal physician before taking any action regarding your health! MedHelp International and our partners, sponsors and affiliates have no obligation to monitor any comments posted on this site, or the content and/or accuracy of such exchanges. MedHelp International does not endorse the views of any user.
Breast Cancer (Expert Forum)
Is chest muscle left in tact after MastX?
Answered by
Cleveland - OH
Questions posted in the Breast Cancer Forum are answered by medical professionals from The Cleveland Clinic. Topics include Breast Biopsy, Chemotherapy, Hormone Therapy, Lumps, Lumpectomy, Lymph node dissection, Lymphedema, Mammograms, Mastectomy, Radiation Therapy, Reconstruction, Self Breast Exam, and Surgery.
Is chest muscle left in tact after MastX?
by Strike3, May 01, 2009 02:57PM
If the cancer is nowhere near the chest muscle, will the surgeon carefully dissect the breast tissue away from the chest muscle leaving it intact? Does any chest muscle (even minimal amount) get taken during mastectomy, if there is no cancer involvement in that area?
Is this an appropriate question to ask a potential surgeon: do you take the time to ensure no muscle is taken? - or is the surgeon going to be insulted if a patient dares to question his/her techniques?
Do surgeons keep records on this for themselves? Is it a reasonable request to want to know this?
Is this an appropriate question to ask a potential surgeon: do you take the time to ensure no muscle is taken? - or is the surgeon going to be insulted if a patient dares to question his/her techniques?
Do surgeons keep records on this for themselves? Is it a reasonable request to want to know this?
Doctor's Answer
by Cleveland Clinic, May 04, 2009 09:12AM
, May 04, 2009 09:12AM
Dear Strike3: In general, the chest muscle is left intact during most types of mastectomy. The exception would be a radical mastectomy (not modified radical mastectomy) which is not done much anymore unless the chest wall is involved.
