Abstract
PurposeBreast cancer is the commonest cancer in women worldwide. Surgery is a central part of the treatment. Modified radical mastectomy (MRM) is often replaced by breast conserving therapy (BCT) in high-income countries. MRM is still the standard choice, in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) as radiotherapy, a mandatory component of BCT is not widely available. It is important to understand whether quality of life (QOL) after MRM is comparable to that after BCT. This has not been studied well in LMICs. We present, 5-year follow-up of QOL scores in breast cancer patients from India.MethodsWe interviewed women undergoing breast cancer surgery preoperatively, at 6 months after surgery, and at 1 year and 5 years, postoperatively. QOL scores were evaluated using FACT B questionnaire. Average QOL scores of women undergoing BCT were compared with those undergoing MRM. Total scores, domain scores and trends of scores over time were analyzed.ResultsWe interviewed 54 women with a mean age of 53 years (SD 9 ± years). QOL scores in all the women, dipped during the treatment period, in all subscales but improved thereafter and even surpassed the baseline in physical, emotional and breast-specific domains (p < 0.05) at 5 years. At the end of 5 years, there was no statistically significant difference between the MRM and BCT groups in any of the total or domain scores.ConclusionQOL scores in Indian women did not differ significantly between MRM and BCT in the long term. Both options are acceptable in the study setting.
Highlights
With two million new cases and over half a million deaths each year, breast cancer is the most common cancer in women worldwide [1]
Mastectomy with axillary dissection is a much extensive surgery compared to conservation of breast with sentinel lymph node biopsy practiced in high-income countries (HICs)
Several prospective long-term studies on quality of life (QOL) after breast surgery carried out in HICs have shown that body image-related QOL scores are better in the patients undergoing breast conservation surgery than in those who undergo mastectomy
Summary
With two million new cases and over half a million deaths each year, breast cancer is the most common cancer in women worldwide [1]. Surgery is central in breast cancer treatment and two main options for breast cancer surgery exist; mastectomy and breast conserving surgery. Mastectomy with axillary dissection is a much extensive surgery compared to conservation of breast with sentinel lymph node biopsy practiced in high-income countries (HICs). Breast conserving surgery together with postoperative radiation therapy shows similar results in terms of survival to mastectomy [3, 4]. Several prospective long-term studies on quality of life (QOL) after breast surgery carried out in HICs have shown that body image-related QOL scores are better in the patients undergoing breast conservation surgery than in those who undergo mastectomy. Mastectomy being a much extensive surgery is expected to result in poorer QOL [5, 6].
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
