A 21-year-old member asked:
What muscle is removed during a radical mastectomy?
2 doctor answers • 3 doctors weighed in
Dr. Barry Rosenanswered
General Surgery 36 years experience
Pectoralis muscles: Actually, this question should read "was", not "is", since we never perform radical mastectomies any more (nor have we for 30+ yrs); removing the muscles never helps treat the cancer. The most common mastectomy for breast cancer treatment is called a modified radical mastectomy. This means that the breast and armpit lymph nodes are removed without any muscle removal.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. Regina Hamptonanswered
Breast Surgery 25 years experience
Pectoralis but...: The pectoralis major muscle is removed with a radical mastectomy. A modified radical mastectomy (mrm) is the standard of care and does not remove the muscle, only the breast and the lymph nodes. These days removing the muscle is rarely done. I recommend getting a second opinion at a breast center for evaluation and recommendations.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
Last updated Dec 9, 2013
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