Matthew Piotrowski, MD, FACS, FSSO, CMQ
Department of Breast Surgical Oncology, Division of Surgery
About Dr. Matthew Piotrowski
Dr. Piotrowski is a board-certified general surgeon who specializes in the surgical treatment of breast cancer and high-risk breast disease. He treats patients with both benign and malignant conditions of the breast, with a focus on providing personalized, evidence-based surgical care and helping patients understand their diagnosis and treatment options.
Dr. Piotrowski completed medical school at The Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, followed by a general surgery residency at Houston Methodist Hospital. He completed advanced fellowship training in Breast Surgical Oncology at MD Anderson Cancer Center. He is board certified by the American Board of Surgery and holds an academic appointment as an Associate Professor in the Department of Breast Surgical Oncology.
Conditions treated include:
– Breast cancer
– Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS)
– High-risk breast lesions
– Benign breast disease
– Abnormal breast imaging requiring surgical evaluation
Dr. Piotrowski offers the full spectrum of breast cancer surgery, including breast-conserving surgery and mastectomy, with an emphasis on oncologic safety, aesthetic outcomes, and thoughtful axillary management.
Procedures performed include:
– Nipple-sparing mastectomy, including nerve-sparing and nerve-preserving techniques
– Skin-sparing mastectomy
– Total mastectomy with aesthetic flat closure
– Breast-conserving surgery (lumpectomy)
– Sentinel lymph node biopsy
– Targeted axillary lymph node dissection
– Axillary lymph node dissection
– Axillary reverse mapping for lymphatic preservation and lymphovenous bypass
With the wide range of surgical options available for breast cancer treatment, Dr. Piotrowski emphasizes shared decision-making and clear communication. He works closely with each patient to tailor a surgical plan that aligns with their diagnosis, values, and goals, and ensures patients understand the rationale behind every component of their treatment plan.
Dr. Piotrowski is a member of the American College of Surgeons, the American Society of Breast Surgeons, and the Society of Surgical Oncology.
Present Title & Affiliation
Primary Appointment
Associate Professor, Breast Surgical Oncology, Surgery, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
Fellowship Program Associate Director, Breast Surgical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
Assistant Professor, Breast Surgical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
Education & Training
Degree-Granting Education
| 2013 | Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, Pennsylvania, US, MD |
| 2009 | The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, US, Biobehavioral Health, BS with Honors |
Postgraduate Training
| 2018-2019 | Clinical Fellowship, Breast Surgical Oncology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston |
| 2013-2018 | Clinical Residency, General Surgery, Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, Texas |
Licenses & Certifications
| 2019 | The American Board of Surgery |
| 2018 | DEA |
| 2018 | Texas Medical Board |
| null | AHA Cardiac Life Support |
Experience & Service
Faculty Academic Appointments
Clinical Specialist, Breast Surgical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2018 - 2019
Administrative Appointments/Responsibilities
Associate Program Director, Breast Surgical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, 2020 - Present
Intramural Institutional Committee Activities
Member, Breast Surgical Oncology Department Activity Committee, UT MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2024 - Present
Extramural Institutional Committee Activities
Member, Northwest Hospital Clinical Services Staffing Committee, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2022 - Present
Member, Northwest Hospital Clinical Services Workflow Subgroup, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2022 - Present
Member, Member of Judging Panel for 2022 Poster Competition for Trainee Research Day at MD Anderson Cancer Center, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2022 - Present
Assistant Professor, Breast Center Patient Reported Outcomes Initiative Committee, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2021 - Present
Assistant Professor, Planning Committee for Peer-to-Peer communication initiative for “best practices” – a subcommittee of the Breast Center’s Patient Experience and Advisory Council (PEAC), The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2020 - Present
Honors & Awards
| 2025 - Present | Top 1% in the nation for delivering compassionate, high-quality care (Perfect Score), Clinician and Group Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (CGCAHPS) |
| 2024 | Breast Surgical Oncology Excellence in Clinical Teaching Award, MD Anderson Breast Surgical Oncology Fellowship Program |
| 2022 | Top 1% of Providers Nationally in Patient Experience and Communication, Clinician and Group Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (CGCAHPS) |
| 2019 | Corynne S. Uhl Award for Compassion and Excellence in Patient Care, UT MD Anderson Cancer Center |
| 2018 | Resident Leadership Award, Houston Methodist Hospital |
| 2014 | Intern of the Year, Houston Methodist Hospital |
Professional Memberships
Selected Presentations & Talks
Local Presentations
- 2025. Extending Criteria for Nipple Sparing Mastectomy: Using an Inferior-Pedicled Mastopexy Approach. Invited. Breast Surgical Oncology, Plastic Surgery, and Breast Radiation Oncology Joint Conference. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2024. Breast Surgical Oncology for the Plastic Surgeon. Invited. Fellows Primer to Surgical Oncology. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2024. Aesthetic Flat Closure. Invited. Breast Surgical Oncology Education Conference. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2024. Perioperative Breast Surgical Oncology. Invited. Northwest OR Lecture Series. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2023. MyJEEVA: A Personalized Digital Health Navigator. Conference. MyJEEVA: A Personalized Digital Health Navigator. Houston, TX, US.
- 2022. JEEVA: A Perioperative Digital Healthcare Navigator. Conference. JEEVA: A Perioperative Digital Healthcare Navigator. Houston, TX, US.
- 2021. Breast Friends Support Group. Conference. Breast Friends Support Group. Houston, TX, US.
- 2019. High Risk Breast Lesions. Conference. High Risk Breast Lesions. Houston, TX, US.
- 2019. DOS Quality Improvement Workshop Presentation on Intraoperative Specimen Labeling. Conference. DOS Quality Improvement Workshop Presentation on Intraoperative Specimen Labeling. Houston, TX, US.
- 2019. Management of High Risk Lesions. Conference. Management of High Risk Lesions. Houston, TX, US.
- 2018. DCIS: The Evolution in Treatment. Conference. DCIS: The Evolution in Treatment. Houston, TX, US.
National Presentations
- 2023. Long-term Outcomes and Predictors of Response in Breast Cancer Patients with Advanced Nodal Involvement. Conference. Long-term Outcomes and Predictors of Response in Breast Cancer Patients with Advanced Nodal Involvement. Boston, MA, US.
- 2022. Trichorhinophalangeal Syndrome Type 1 (TRPS1) Expression in Male Breast Cancer, United States & Canadian Academy of Pathology Annual Meeting. Conference. Trichorhinophalangeal Syndrome Type 1 (TRPS1) Expression in Male Breast Cancer, United States & Canadian Academy of Pathology Annual Meeting. Los Angeles, CA, US.
- 2019. Optimization of intraoperative lumpectomy specimen labeling. Conference. Optimization of intraoperative lumpectomy specimen labeling. Washington, DC, US.
- 2017. Results of a trial of a call-based resident coverage system replacing night float at a single institution: Resident Attitudes and Perceptions and Outcomes. Conference. Results of a trial of a call-based resident coverage system replacing night float at a single institution: Resident Attitudes and Perceptions and Outcomes. San Diego, CA, US.
- 2017. Nutcracker Syndrome. Conference. Nutcracker Syndrome. Naples, FL, US.
- 2010. Marly's Story. Conference. Marly's Story. Dallas, TX, US.
International Presentations
- 2024. Management of High Risk Lesions of the Breast. Invited. Project Breast in Africa ECHO, ZW.
- 2023. It Takes a Village: Multidisciplinary Breast Subspecialty Telementoring for Low-to-Middle Income Countries (LMICs). Conference. Radiological Society of North America. Chicago, US.
- 2023. Management of High Risk Lesions of the Breast. Invited. Project ECHO - MIMIC, KN.
- 2023. A Randomized Trial of Hypnosedation (HS) Versus General Anesthesia (GA) for Women with Breast Cancer (BCa) Undergoing Breast Conserving Surgery With or Without Sentinel Lymph Node Dissection (SLND). Conference. A Randomized Trial of Hypnosedation (HS) Versus General Anesthesia (GA) for Women with Breast Cancer (BCa) Undergoing Breast Conserving Surgery With or Without Sentinel Lymph Node Dissection (SLND). Bannf, CA.
Formal Peers
- 2022. Complex General Surgical Oncology Didactic Lecture. Invited, US.
Grant & Contract Support
| Title: | Biobehavioral Mechanisms and Opioid-Sparing Effects of Hypnosis During Breast Cancer Surgery |
| Funding Source: | NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH |
| Role: | Co-PI |
| ID: | GRANT13214038 |
Selected Publications
Peer-Reviewed Articles
- Kuerer, HM, Valero, V, Smith, BD, Krishnamurthy, S, Diego, EJ, Johnson, HM, Lin, Y, Shen, Y, Lucci, A, Shaitelman, SF, Mitchell, MP, Boughey, JC, White, RL, Hunt, KK, Yang, WT, Rauch, GM, Moseley, T, Leung, J, Huang, ML, Candelaria, RP, Adrada, BE, Arribas, E, van la Parra, RF, Ramirez, DL, Teshome, M, Hwang, RF, Miggins, MV, Piotrowski, MJ, Correa Refinetti, AP, Ehlers II, RA, Mouabbi, JA, Colen, JS, Loveland-Jones, C, Lesnikowski, BA, Samiian, L, Chong, C, Black, DM, Desyder, SM, Sun, SX, Nguyen, TM. Selective Elimination of Breast Surgery for Invasive Breast Cancer A Nonrandomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Oncology 11(5):529-534, 2025. e-Pub 2025. PMID: 40152443.
- Cata, JP, Zaidi, Y, Guerra-Londono, JJ, Kharasch, ED, Piotrowski, MJ, Kee, SS, Cortes-Mejia, NA, Gloria-Escobar, JM, Thall, PF, Lin, R. Intraoperative methadone administration for total mastectomy. Journal of Clinical Anesthesia 98, 2024. e-Pub 2024. PMID: 39180867.
- Cata J, Zaidi Y, Guerra J, Kharasch E, Piotrowski M, Kee S, Thall P, Lin R. Intraoperative methadone administration for total mastectomy: A single-center retrospective center. Journal of Clinical Anesthesia. e-Pub 2024. PMID: 39180867.
- Piotrowski M, Yi, M, Le-Petross, C, Teshome, M, Kuerer, H, Lee, J, Hunt, K, DeSnyder, S. Optimization of intraoperative lumpectomy specimen labeling. Surgical Oncology Insight 1(1), 2024. e-Pub 2024.
- Piotrowski, MJ, Yi, M, Le-Petross, C, Teshome, M, Kuerer, HM, Lee, J, Hunt, KK, DeSnyder, SM. Optimization of intraoperative lumpectomy specimen labeling. Surgical Oncology Insight 1(1), 2024. e-Pub 2024.
- Sun, SX, Piotrowski, MJ, Adesoye, T, Mitchell, MP, Garber, HR, Teshome, M, Kuerer, HM, Tamirisa, N, Singh, P. Long-Term Outcomes and Predictors of Response in Breast Cancer Patients with Advanced Nodal Involvement. Journal of the American College of Surgeons 238(1):1-9, 2024. e-Pub 2024. PMID: 37870227.
- Johnson HM, Lin H, Shen Y, Diego EJ, Krishnamurthy S, Yang WT, Smith BD, Valero V, Lucci A, Sun SX, Shaitelman SF, Mitchell MP, Boughey JC, White RL, Rauch GM, Kuerer HM, Study Group ER. Patient-Reported Outcomes of Omission of Breast Surgery Following Neoadjuvant Systemic Therapy: A Nonrandomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Netw Open 6(9):e2333933, 2023. e-Pub 2023. PMID: 37707811.
- Law T, Piotrowski MJ, Ning J, Jiang X, Ding Q, Sahin AA. Trichorhinophalangeal Syndrome Type 1 (TRPS1) Expression in Male Breast Carcinoma. Hum Pathol 138:62-67, 2023. e-Pub 2023. PMID: 37331526.
- Kuerer, HM, Smith, B, Krishnamurthy, S, Yang, WT, Valero, V, Shen, Y, Lin, Y, Lucci, A, Boughey, JC, White, RL, Diego, EJ, Rauch, GM, Moseley, T, van la Parra, RF, Adrada, BE, Leung, J, Sun, SX, Teshome, M, Miggins, MV, Hunt, KK, DeSnyder, SM, Ehlers II, RA, Hwang, RF, Colen, JS, Arribas, E, Samiian, L, Lesnikoski, BA, Piotrowski, MJ, Bedrosian, I, Chong, CD, Correa Refinetti, AP, Huang, ML, Candelaria, RP, Loveland-Jones, C, Mitchell, MP, Shaitelman, SF. Eliminating breast surgery for invasive breast cancer in exceptional responders to neoadjuvant systemic therapy. The lancet oncology 23(12):1517-1524, 2022. e-Pub 2022. PMID: 36306810.
- Kuerer H, Smith B, Krishnamurthy S, Yang W, Valero V, Shen Y, Lin H, Lucci A, Boughey J, White R, Diego E, Rauch G, Moseley T, van la Parra R, Adrada B, Leung J, Sun S, Teshome M, Miggins M, Hunt K, DeSnyder S, Ehlers R, Hwang R, Colen J, Arribas E, Samiian L, Lesnikoski B, Piotrowski M, Bedrosian I, Chong C, Refinetti A, Huang M, Candelaria R, Loveland-Jones C, Mitchell M, Shaitelman S. Eliminating breast surgery for invasive breast cancer in exceptional responders to neoadjuvant systemic therapy: a multicentre, single-arm, phase 2 trial. Lancet Oncology 23(12):1517-1524, 2022. e-Pub 2022.
- Corrigan KL, Mainwaring W, Miller AB, Lin TA, Jethanandani A, Espinoza AF, Piotrowski M, Fuller CD, Stauder MC, Shaitelman SF, Perkins GH, Woodward WA, Giordano SH, Smith BD, Ludmir EB. Exclusion of Men from Randomized Phase III Breast Cancer Clinical Trials. Oncologist 25(6):1-3, 2020. e-Pub 2020. PMID: 32272505.
- West SG, McIntyre MD, Piotrowski MJ, Poupin N, Miller DL, Preston AG, Wagner P, Groves LF, Skulas-Ray AC. Effects of dark chocolate and cocoa consumption on endothelial function and arterial stiffness in overweight adults. Br J Nutr 111(4):653-61, 2014. e-Pub 2014. PMID: 24274771.
- West SG, Skulas-Ray AC, Piotrowski MJ, Crispell MD, Groves LF, Poupin N, and Wagner PR. High flavanol cocoa and dark chocolate enhance vasodilation and reduce arterial stiffness. FASEB J 24(1), 2010. e-Pub 2010.
Review Articles
- Piotrowski MJ, Gunn H, Kirby J, Ali L, Helm K. JAAD Grand Rounds quiz: Red-brown hyperkeratotic papules in a 69-year-old man. J Am Acad Dermatol 73(2):346-8, 2015. e-Pub 2015. PMID: 26183990.
Professional Educational Materials
- Piotrowski MJ, Singh P, Sun SX. Ductal Carcinoma in situ. The SCORE Portal.
Abstracts
- Checka C, Ehlers R, Miggins M, FitzSullivan E, Bridges C, Hunt K, Refinetti A, Piotrowski M. Society of Surgical Oncology SSO 2023 - International Conference on Surgical Cancer Care. Annals of Surgical Oncology 30(Suppl 1):1-257, 2023. e-Pub 2023.
- Piotrowski MJ, Yi M, Contreras A, Hunt KK, Hwang RF, Kuerer HM, Le-Petross HC, Teshome M, Underbrink A, DeSnyder SM. Optimization of intraoperative lumpectomy specimen labeling improves concordance between surgeon and pathology. The American Society of Breast Surgeons [ASBrS] Volume XXI, 2020. e-Pub 2020.
Patient Reviews
CV information above last modified August 24, 2026