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10.3390/muscles5010016
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This is an early access version, the complete PDF, HTML, and XML versions will be available soon.
Article

Body Composition and Pectoralis Major Muscle Evaluation in Women Undergoing Breast Cancer Surgery: A Longitudinal Preliminary Observational Study

by
Giulia Bongiorno
1,*,
Nicole Salvador
2,
Samuele De Cecco
3,
Helena Biancuzzi
4,
Francesca Dal Mas
5,
Chiara Pinzini
3 and
Luca Miceli
6
1
Friuli Riabilitazione Rehabilitation Center, 33080 Roveredo in Piano, Italy
2
Department of Medicine, University of Perugia, 06121 Perugia, Italy
3
Department of Medicine, University of Udine, 33100 Udine, Italy
4
Department of Economics, Ca’ Foscari University of Venice, 30121 Venice, Italy
5
Department of Management, Ca’ Foscari University of Venice, 30121 Venice, Italy
6
Centro di Riferimento Oncologico, 33081 Aviano, Italy
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Muscles 2026, 5(1), 16; https://doi.org/10.3390/muscles5010016
Submission received: 9 November 2025 / Revised: 5 February 2026 / Accepted: 13 February 2026 / Published: 17 February 2026
Versions Notes

Abstract

Background: The aim of this observational preliminary study is to detect any changes in body mass, muscle strength and characteristics of the pectoralis major muscle in women who have undergone breast surgery treatments. Methods: Instrumental assessments, completed before surgery and after 60 and 120 days, included sonoelastography, dynamometric examination and surface electromyography (sEMG) of the pectoralis major muscle, hand grip test, body bioimpedance analysis; the DASH (Disability of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand) questionnaire and pain assessment using the NRS (Numerical Rating Scale). Results: An initial increase in weight and fat mass was observed, followed by a reduction related to the resumption of physical activity stimulated by physiotherapy and medical support. The IC (intracellular)/EC (extracellular) ratio showed an increase in extracellular fluids in the final phase, indicative of possible water retention and early oedema. Muscle strength and DASH scores showed a functional decline, which may be explained by reduced physical activity and the direct involvement of the pectoral muscle in surgical and radiotherapy procedures. Sonoelastography showed color variations suggestive of changes in tissue stiffness, useful for distinguishing between reinforcement processes and possible scarring. Conclusions: This multidimensional approach can be useful in the early monitoring of some tissue alterations (i.e., fat mass) as an aid to define personalized rehabilitation protocols for women who have undergone breast surgery.
Keywords: breast cancer; sonoelastography; rehabilitation; pectoralis major muscle breast cancer; sonoelastography; rehabilitation; pectoralis major muscle

Share and Cite

MDPI and ACS Style

Bongiorno, G.; Salvador, N.; De Cecco, S.; Biancuzzi, H.; Dal Mas, F.; Pinzini, C.; Miceli, L. Body Composition and Pectoralis Major Muscle Evaluation in Women Undergoing Breast Cancer Surgery: A Longitudinal Preliminary Observational Study. Muscles 2026, 5, 16. https://doi.org/10.3390/muscles5010016

AMA Style

Bongiorno G, Salvador N, De Cecco S, Biancuzzi H, Dal Mas F, Pinzini C, Miceli L. Body Composition and Pectoralis Major Muscle Evaluation in Women Undergoing Breast Cancer Surgery: A Longitudinal Preliminary Observational Study. Muscles. 2026; 5(1):16. https://doi.org/10.3390/muscles5010016

Chicago/Turabian Style

Bongiorno, Giulia, Nicole Salvador, Samuele De Cecco, Helena Biancuzzi, Francesca Dal Mas, Chiara Pinzini, and Luca Miceli. 2026. "Body Composition and Pectoralis Major Muscle Evaluation in Women Undergoing Breast Cancer Surgery: A Longitudinal Preliminary Observational Study" Muscles 5, no. 1: 16. https://doi.org/10.3390/muscles5010016

APA Style

Bongiorno, G., Salvador, N., De Cecco, S., Biancuzzi, H., Dal Mas, F., Pinzini, C., & Miceli, L. (2026). Body Composition and Pectoralis Major Muscle Evaluation in Women Undergoing Breast Cancer Surgery: A Longitudinal Preliminary Observational Study. Muscles, 5(1), 16. https://doi.org/10.3390/muscles5010016

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