Postlymphadenectomy complications and quality of life among breast cancer patients in Brazil Journal Article
| Authors: | Paim, C. R.; De Paula Lima, E. D. R.; Fu, M. R.; De Paula Lima, A.; Cassali, G. D. |
| Article Title: | Postlymphadenectomy complications and quality of life among breast cancer patients in Brazil |
| Abstract: | This descriptive, cross-sectional, correlational study with a convenience sample of 96 women treated for breast cancer at an outpatient service in Brazil was designed to investigate postlymphadenectomy complications after axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) and sentinel lymph node biopsy and explore the associative relationships between the complications and quality of life. Clinical evaluations using perimetry, goniometry, and muscle strength test were used to evaluate the complications. Pain and quality of life were assessed by the Short-Form McGill Pain Questionnaire and the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Breast. All participants had at least one complication. Incidence was higher for pain (57%), impaired shoulder strength (57%), and fibrosis (54%), followed by impaired shoulder range of motion (46%) and lymphedema (17%). The incidence of impaired shoulder flexion (P ≤ .01) and lymphedema (P ≤ .002) was higher in ALND group. Winged scapula (8.4%) only occurred in the ALND group. Quality of life was significantly correlated with pain (r ≤ ĝ̂'0.53, P ≤ .000) and impaired shoulder strength in flexion (r ≤ 0.4; P ≤ .000) and abduction (r ≤ ĝ̂'0.5, P ≤ .000). Future studies are needed to prospectively investigate the onset of the complications and identify appropriate interventions to promote quality of life in women treated for breast cancer. Copyright © 2008 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. |
| Keywords: | adult; controlled study; aged; aged, 80 and over; middle aged; functional assessment; range of motion; shoulder; major clinical study; pathophysiology; cancer patient; cancer staging; lymph node dissection; neoplasm staging; sentinel lymph node; lymph node excision; sentinel lymph node biopsy; lymphadenectomy; quality of life; pain; breast cancer; incidence; pathology; breast neoplasms; postoperative complication; lymphedema; fibrosis; axillary lymph node; health service; breast tumor; clinical evaluation; ambulatory care; complications; cross-sectional study; cross-sectional studies; brazil; pain measurement; axilla; pain assessment; lymphangitis; outpatient care; scar; phlebitis; axillary lymph node dissection; descriptive research; abduction; shoulder joint; range of motion, articular; shoulder pain; muscle strength; joint mobility; goniometry; mcgill pain questionnaire; perimetry; shoulder disease; arthrometry; joint characteristics and functions; arthrometry, articular |
| Journal Title: | Cancer Nursing |
| Volume: | 31 |
| Issue: | 4 |
| ISSN: | 0162-220X |
| Publisher: | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins |
| Date Published: | 2008-07-01 |
| Start Page: | 302 |
| End Page: | 309 |
| Language: | English |
| DOI: | 10.1097/01.NCC.0000305747.49205.b1 |
| PUBMED: | 18600117 |
| PROVIDER: | scopus |
| DOI/URL: | |
| Notes: | --- - "Cited By (since 1996): 4" - "Export Date: 17 November 2011" - "CODEN: CANUE" - "Source: Scopus" |
