Premium
Subjective morbidity and quality of life after sentinel node biopsy and axillary lymph node dissection for breast cancer
Author(s) -
Barranger Emmanuel,
Dubernard Gil,
Fleurence José,
Antoine Martine,
Darai Emile,
Uzan Serge
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
journal of surgical oncology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.201
H-Index - 111
eISSN - 1096-9098
pISSN - 0022-4790
DOI - 10.1002/jso.20343
Subject(s) - medicine , breast cancer , axillary lymph node dissection , axillary dissection , sentinel node , sentinel lymph node , biopsy , dissection (medical) , axilla , lymph node , quality of life (healthcare) , surgery , general surgery , radiology , cancer , nursing
Background and Objectives Sentinel node (SN) biopsy is a minimally invasive surgical method for axillary staging in patients with breast cancer. The aim of this study was to evaluate mid‐term morbidity after SN biopsy and axillary lymph node (ALN) dissection in patients with breast cancer receiving breast‐sparing treatment, and to determine its impact on quality of life (QOL). Methods One hundred fifteen patients with breast cancer underwent breast‐conserving treatment with SN biopsy alone (Group 1: n = 54), ALN dissection with or without SN biopsy (Group 2: n = 51), or SN biopsy followed by later ALN dissection (Group 3: n = 10). Results The mean post‐operative follow‐up was 20.3 months (range: 10–31 months) in Group 1, 24.3 months (range: 10–33 months) in Group 2, and 19.1 months (range: 12–28 months) in Group 3. Arm‐shoulder pain was reported by 21.2% of patients in Group 1, 52.9% in Group 2, and 60% in Group 3 ( P = 0.002). An arm swelling sensation was reported by 0% of patients in Group 1, 21.6% in Group 2, and 10% in Group 3. Dysesthesias were reported by 5.7% of patients in Group 1, 51% in Group 2, and 50% in Group 3 ( P < 0.001). The mean global QOL self‐rating score was 7.6 in Group 1, 7.6 in Group 2, and 7.7 in Group 3 (no significant difference). Conclusions SN biopsy is associated with significantly lower mid‐term morbidity than ALN dissection. J. Surg. Oncol. 2005;92:17–22. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.