BACKGROUND: Clinical trials comparing mastectomy to conservative surgery plus radiation therapy in the treatment of breast cancer have provided an opportunity to increase understanding of the biology of this disease and the psychological adaptation of the breast cancer patient. Because these local treatments appear to be equal in terms of survival, the question remains as to whether conservative surgery plus radiation therapy confers a measure of psychological comfort superior to that of mastectomy for women diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer. METHODS:One hundred forty-two women participating in a clinical trial randomizing patients tomastectomy or lumpectomy and radiation therapy were prospectively evaluated for psychological response to their respective local therapy. A baseline assessment before randomization and subsequent questionnaires at 6, 12, and 24 months after treatment were completed by patients entered in the clinical trial. RESULTS: At 6 months, mastectomy patients reported significantly less control over events in their lives (P = 0.003) and more problems with sexual relations (P = 0.021) than did their conservatively treated counterparts. In addition, there were marked differences between mastectomy patients and lumpectomy and radiation therapy patients in the degree of distress over their nude bodies, with P = 0.001 at 6 months, P = 0.019 at 12 months, and P = 0.057 at 24 months. CONCLUSIONS: From our findings, it appears that breast conservation therapy protects women's perception of their body but does not, over time, contribute to a more positive sexual adjustment.
RCT Entities:
BACKGROUND: Clinical trials comparing mastectomy to conservative surgery plus radiation therapy in the treatment of breast cancer have provided an opportunity to increase understanding of the biology of this disease and the psychological adaptation of the breast cancerpatient. Because these local treatments appear to be equal in terms of survival, the question remains as to whether conservative surgery plus radiation therapy confers a measure of psychological comfort superior to that of mastectomy for women diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer. METHODS: One hundred forty-two women participating in a clinical trial randomizing patients to mastectomy or lumpectomy and radiation therapy were prospectively evaluated for psychological response to their respective local therapy. A baseline assessment before randomization and subsequent questionnaires at 6, 12, and 24 months after treatment were completed by patients entered in the clinical trial. RESULTS: At 6 months, mastectomy patients reported significantly less control over events in their lives (P = 0.003) and more problems with sexual relations (P = 0.021) than did their conservatively treated counterparts. In addition, there were marked differences between mastectomy patients and lumpectomy and radiation therapy patients in the degree of distress over their nude bodies, with P = 0.001 at 6 months, P = 0.019 at 12 months, and P = 0.057 at 24 months. CONCLUSIONS: From our findings, it appears that breast conservation therapy protects women's perception of their body but does not, over time, contribute to a more positive sexual adjustment.
Authors: David McCready; Claire Holloway; Wendy Shelley; Nancy Down; Paula Robinson; Susan Sinclair; Douglas Mirsky Journal: Can J Surg Date: 2005-06 Impact factor: 2.089
Authors: S Mose; A N Rahn; K M Budischewski; A C Zander-Heinz; I A Adamietz; S Bormeth; C Thilmann; H D Böttcher Journal: Strahlenther Onkol Date: 1999-03 Impact factor: 3.621
Authors: Peter J Lovrics; Sylvie D Cornacchi; Francesco Barnabi; Tim Whelan; Charles H Goldsmith Journal: Qual Life Res Date: 2008-01-26 Impact factor: 4.147