Complications Associated with Loco-Regional Treatment of Breast Cancer and Their Impact on Quality-of-Life

Abstract

Objective:Aim of this prospective study was to determine the complications of different treatment modalities for breast cancer and assess their impact on patients’ quality-of-life and psychological status.Materials and Methods:Patients surgically treated for early-stage breast cancer were enrolled in the study. Complications after treatment and quality-of-life parameters were measured and recorded.Results:218 patients, all female with a median age of 48 (19-82) years, were included in the study. In early period, significant limitation of shoulder movements, increased pain and decreased in functional capacity were observed, whereas in mid-term, all shoulder movements, as well as pain and functional capacity returned normal. In both early period and mid-terms, anxiety scores were significantly decreased, whereas depression scores were significantly increased. In early period, there was a significant decrease in physical and mental area scores. Social area scores were significantly increased, whereas environmental, mental and physical area scores were significantly decreased in mid-term and late period.Conclusion:Overall, patients’ quality-of-life was found to be significantly deteriorated in both early period and mid-term and returned to pretreatment period at long term follow up.

Keywords

• breast cancer
• quality-of-life
• chronic pain
• axillary dissection
• radiotherapy