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Open Access 01-09-2008 | Breast Oncology

Quality of Life After Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy or Axillary Lymph Node Dissection in Stage I/II Breast Cancer Patients: A Prospective Longitudinal Study

Authors: Jan Kootstra, MD, Josette E. H. M. Hoekstra-Weebers, PhD, Hans Rietman, MD, PhD, Jaap de Vries, MD, PhD, Peter Baas, MD, PhD, Jan H. B. Geertzen, MD, PhD, Harald J. Hoekstra, MD, PhD

Published in: Annals of Surgical Oncology | Issue 9/2008

Abstract

Background

Breast cancer patients’ quality of life (QoL) after surgery has been reported to improve significantly over time. Little is known about QoL recovery after sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) in comparison to axillary lymph node dissection (ALND).

Methods

175 of 195 stage I/II breast cancer patients completed the EORTC QLQ-C30: one day before surgery (T0) and after 6 (T1), 26 (T2), 52 (T3) and 104 (T4) weeks. Of these, 54 patients underwent SLNB, 56 SLNB+ALND and 65 ALND. General linear models and paired T-tests between T0–T4 and T1–T4 were computed. Complications, radiotherapy and systemic therapy were added to the model.

Results

Significant time effects were found on physical, role and emotional functioning. Physical and role functioning decreased between T0 and T1. At T4, SLNB patients’ functioning had increased to their T0 level; ALND (+/– SLNB) patients’ functioning had increased, but had not improved to T0 level. Emotional functioning increased linearly between T0 and T4. At T4, emotional functioning was significantly higher in all groups as compared with T0. No significant group or interaction (time × group) effects were found. Complications and chemotherapy had a significant negative effect on role, emotional and cognitive functioning. Complications had a significant effect on social functioning also. Effect sizes varied between 0.00 and 0.06.

Conclusion

Two years post surgery, breast cancer patients’ QoL is comparable to that shortly before surgery. Women rated their emotional functioning as even better. SLNB is not associated with a better QoL than ALND. However, undergoing systemic therapy and/or experiencing complications affects QoL negatively.

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Title: Quality of Life After Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy or Axillary Lymph Node Dissection in Stage I/II Breast Cancer Patients: A Prospective Longitudinal Study
Authors: Jan Kootstra, MD
Josette E. H. M. Hoekstra-Weebers, PhD
Hans Rietman, MD, PhD
Jaap de Vries, MD, PhD
Peter Baas, MD, PhD
Jan H. B. Geertzen, MD, PhD
Harald J. Hoekstra, MD, PhD
Publication date: 01-09-2008
Publisher: Springer-Verlag
Published in: Annals of Surgical Oncology / Issue 9/2008
Print ISSN: 1068-9265
Electronic ISSN: 1534-4681
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1245/s10434-008-9996-9

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Quality of Life After Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy or Axillary Lymph Node Dissection in Stage I/II Breast Cancer Patients: A Prospective Longitudinal Study

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusion

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