scholarly journals Effectiveness of a Survivorship Program: An Assessment of Patients With Breast Cancer in a Community Setting

2016 ◽  
Vol 12 (6) ◽  
pp. e688-e696 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leah Dietrich ◽  
Angela L. Smith ◽  
Alexandra Watral ◽  
Andrew J. Borgert ◽  
Mohammed Al-Hamadani ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Community Setting ◽  
Disease Stage ◽  
Nccn Guidelines ◽  
Tertiary Center ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Support Resources ◽  
Cancer Network ◽  
Record Review

Purpose: This study assesses the effectiveness of a single institution’s breast cancer survivorship program on patient perceptions, quality of life (QOL), and compliance with National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) guidelines for follow-up. Methods: Sampled patients completed all their breast cancer treatment at a single tertiary center. Surveys designed to evaluate QOL were obtained, and retrospective medical record review was conducted to assess NCCN compliance. Survivorship clinic (SC) attendees and nonattendees were matched for age and disease stage for comparison of the outcomes (QOL, NCCN compliance, and overall effectiveness). Results: SC patients (n = 63) tended to perceive their concerns in various categories to be addressed more adequately than did nonattendees (n = 54), with significant differences in the areas of practical concerns (P = .03) and late-term adverse effects (P = .03). There was a significant difference in compliance with three NCCN guidelines (history and physical every 3 to 6 months, annual mammography, and a pelvic examination if on tamoxifen) between survivorship attendees and nonattendees (P < .001, P = .02, and P < .001, respectively). Women who attended an SC used other survivorship support resources more often. Conclusion: Survivorship programs can be time and resource consuming, but our study is one of the first to show that a survivorship program effectively changes patient behavior in important ways. Patients who attended an SC were more likely to be compliant with NCCN-recommended follow-up and to use other survivorship resources and felt their concerns were better addressed. These measures can be used to help us improve our survivorship services and by other institutions to measure the quality and effectiveness of their programs.

Assessment of the effectiveness of survivorship care in breast cancer patients.

2014 ◽  
Vol 32 (26_suppl) ◽  
pp. 123-123
Author(s):  
Leah L. Dietrich ◽  
Mohammed Al-Hamadani ◽  
Chris Meyer ◽  
Alexandra Watral ◽  
Angela Smith
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Statistical Tests ◽  
Disease Stage ◽  
Survivorship Care ◽  
Breast Cancer Patients ◽  
Supportive Services ◽  
Nccn Guidelines ◽  
Significant Difference

123 Background: After the IOM report “From Cancer Patient to Cancer Survivor - Lost in Transition” was issued, there was a widespread call to develop Survivorship programs. Few studies have evaluated the effectiveness of these programs. Prior studies have focused on perceptions of, or preferences for, certain models of survivorship care. Therefore, our goal was to retrospectively evaluate our effectiveness based on patient perception, quality of life (QOL) and compliance with NCCN guidelines for follow-up. Methods: Eligible patients completed all of their breast cancer treatment at GHS. Surveys were sent out to evaluate patient knowledge and QOL. Chart review was conducted to assess NCCN compliance. Survivorship clinic attendees and non-attendees were matched for age and disease stage for comparison purposes of the outcomes (QOL, NCCN compliance, overall effectiveness) using descriptive statistics analysis. Chi-squares and t-tests/ANOVA statistical tests were used for categorical and continuous data significance respectively. Results: We found survivorship clinic patients (n=65) tended to perceive their concerns, in various categories, to be more adequately addressed than non-attendees (n=52), with significant differences in the areas of practical concerns and questions regarding late-term side effects. Categories in which there were no significant differences tended to be highly rated in both groups. There was also a significant difference in compliance with two NCCN guidelines for those attending survivorship. Additionally, women attending the survivorship appointment utilized supportive resources more than those who did not attend. Conclusions: Survivorship clinic attendees felt certain concerns were better addressed, were more compliant with NCCN recommended follow-up, and used supportive services more often than non-attendees. Statistically significant differences in other categories may be found in a larger sample size. These measures can be used to help us improve our survivorship services and for other institutions to measure quality and effectiveness of their programs.

scholarly journals Breast reconstruction after breast cancer surgery – persistent pain and quality of life 1–8 years after breast reconstruction

2021 ◽  
Vol 0 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nina Honkanen ◽  
Laura Mustonen ◽  
Eija Kalso ◽  
Tuomo Meretoja ◽  
Hanna Harno
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Breast Reconstruction ◽  
Perforator Flap ◽  
Persistent Pain ◽  
Rectus Abdominis ◽  
Preoperative Pain ◽  
Significant Difference

Abstract Objectives To assess the long-term outcome of breast reconstructions with special focus on chronic postsurgical pain (CPSP) in a larger cohort of breast cancer survivors. Methods A cross-sectional study on 121 women with mastectomy and breast reconstruction after mean 2 years 4 months follow up. The mean time from breast reconstruction to the follow-up visit was 4 years 2 months. We studied surveys on pain (Brief Pain Inventory, BPI and Douleur Neuropathique 4, DN4), quality of life (RAND-36 health survey), sleep (insomnia severity questionnaire, ISI), mood (Beck’s Depression Index, BDI; Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, HADS), and a detailed clinical sensory status. Patients were divided into three groups: abdominal flap (Deep inferior epigastric perforator flap, DIEP; Free transverse rectus abdominis flap, fTRAM, and Pedicled transverse rectus abdominis flap, pTRAM), dorsal flap (Latissimus dorsi flap, LD and Thoracodorsal artery perforator flap, TDAP), and other (Transverse myocutaneous gracilis flap, TMG; implant). Clinically meaningful pain was defined ≥ 4/10 on a numeric rating scale (NRS). We used patients’ pain drawings to localize the pain. We assessed preoperative pain NRS from previous data. Results 106 (87.6%) of the patients did not have clinically meaningful persistent pain. We found no statistically significant difference between different reconstruction types with regards to persistent pain (p=0.40), mood (BDI-II, p=0.41 and HADS A, p=0.54) or sleep (p=0.14), respectively. Preoperative pain prior to breast reconstruction surgery correlated strongly with moderate or severe CPSP. Conclusions Moderate to severe CPSP intensity was present in 14% of patients. We found no significant difference in the prevalence of pain across different reconstruction types. Preoperative pain associated significantly with postoperative persistent pain.

scholarly journals Is quality of life after mastectomy comparable to that after breast conservation surgery? A 5-year follow up study from Mumbai, India

2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (3) ◽  
pp. 683-692
Author(s):  
K. V. Deepa ◽  
A. Gadgil ◽  
Jenny Löfgren ◽  
S. Mehare ◽  
Prashant Bhandarkar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Breast Conservation ◽  
Radical Mastectomy ◽  
Breast Conservation Surgery ◽  
Breast Cancer Surgery ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Domain Scores

Abstract Purpose Breast cancer is the commonest cancer in women worldwide. Surgery is a central part of the treatment. Modified radical mastectomy (MRM) is often replaced by breast conserving therapy (BCT) in high-income countries. MRM is still the standard choice, in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) as radiotherapy, a mandatory component of BCT is not widely available. It is important to understand whether quality of life (QOL) after MRM is comparable to that after BCT. This has not been studied well in LMICs. We present, 5-year follow-up of QOL scores in breast cancer patients from India. Methods We interviewed women undergoing breast cancer surgery preoperatively, at 6 months after surgery, and at 1 year and 5 years, postoperatively. QOL scores were evaluated using FACT B questionnaire. Average QOL scores of women undergoing BCT were compared with those undergoing MRM. Total scores, domain scores and trends of scores over time were analyzed. Results We interviewed 54 women with a mean age of 53 years (SD 9 ± years). QOL scores in all the women, dipped during the treatment period, in all subscales but improved thereafter and even surpassed the baseline in physical, emotional and breast-specific domains (p < 0.05) at 5 years. At the end of 5 years, there was no statistically significant difference between the MRM and BCT groups in any of the total or domain scores. Conclusion QOL scores in Indian women did not differ significantly between MRM and BCT in the long term. Both options are acceptable in the study setting.

Shoulder girdle impairment in breast cancer survivors: the role of range of motion as predictive factor for dose distribution and clinical outcome

2019 ◽  
Vol 105 (4) ◽  
pp. 319-330 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fabio Marazzi ◽  
Valeria Masiello ◽  
Domenico Marchesano ◽  
Luca Boldrini ◽  
Stefano Luzi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Range Of Motion ◽  
Functional Impairment ◽  
Predictive Factor ◽  
Late Complication ◽  
Shoulder Girdle ◽  
Dash Score ◽  
Observational Analysis ◽  
Significant Difference

Background:Pain and functional impairment of the ipsilateral shoulder girdle in patients who underwent surgery and radiotherapy for breast cancer (BC) is a late complication reported in the literature. We analyze a correlation with dosimetric parameters and propose an algorithm for sparing strategies.Methods:A total of 111 patients treated for BC were included in this observational analysis during follow-up protocol visits. Exclusion criteria were the presence of moderate or severe arthrosis history and/or rheumatologic diseases. All the patients had complete physical and multidimensional examinations during joint (physiatrist and radiotherapy oncology) follow-up visits. A scapula–humeral articulation (SHA) standardized contouring was performed retrospectively on Eclipse® treatment plans. A possible correlation between patients’ characteristics, radiotherapy, and dosimetry analysis and functional impairment was investigated at statistical analysis. Results of analysis were summarized into a proposal of algorithm for sparing SHA.Results:A total of 111 patients were selected during follow-up visits. Mean age of patients was 60 years (range 41–85 years). A total of 103 patients (93%) underwent conservative surgery, with 110 patients (99%) undergoing axilla surgery as well. Fifty-two patients (46.8%) presented a reduction of range of motion (ROM) abduction on the treated side at the observational analysis. Mean ROM abduction reduction was 13°06’ (range 0°–100°). Disability of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand questionnaire (DASH) score results were excellent in 79 patients (71.2%), discrete in 15 patients (13.5%), good in 15 patients (13.5%), and sufficient in 2 patients (1.8%). Median EQD2Dmaxat SHA was 18 Gy (range 0.22–51.9 Gy) and median EQD2mean dose at SHA was 2 Gy (range 0.04–24.32 Gy). Univariate analysis showed a linear correlation between DASH score and ROM of abduction of treated side (ρ=−0.7), ROM of abduction and ROM of flexion in ipsilateral arm (ρ=0.8), or ROM of abduction and ROM of flexion in contralateral arm (ρ=0.8). A statistically significant difference in ROM abduction between the 2 arms was found at χ2test ( P<0.05 at χ2confidence interval = 95%). Cox linear regression analysis showed ROM abduction on treated arm as a predictive factor of DASH score ( P<0.0001). Age ( P<0.05), DASH score ( P=0.006), and ROM abduction on treated arm ( P=0.005) were found as independent predictive factors of mean dose at multivariate analysis. A mean dose higher than 7 Gy and ROM abduction reduction more than 30° were related to DASH score level reduction.Conclusions:This hypothesis-generating study introduces an algorithm to be validated for management of sparing SHA and improving quality of survivorship. ROM evaluation after surgery, early physiotherapy, standard contouring, and planning adaptation represent possible indications to preserve shoulder impairment. Further prospective studies are needed to discriminate impairment of surgery and radiotherapy in order to personalized therapeutic plan programs.

Randomized cooperative study of perioperative chemotherapy in breast cancer.

1995 ◽  
Vol 13 (11) ◽  
pp. 2712-2721 ◽  
Author(s):  
M R Sertoli ◽  
P Bruzzi ◽  
P Pronzato ◽  
P Queirolo ◽  
D Amoroso ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Preliminary Evidence ◽  
Breast Cancer Patients ◽  
Free Survival ◽  
Node Negative ◽  
Significant Survival ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Estrogen Receptor Negative

PURPOSE The aim of this multicentric randomized trial was to determine whether reducing the interval between surgery and chemotherapy improves the outcome of breast cancer patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS Between June 1985 and July 1992, 600 breast cancer patients, clinical stages T1-3A,N0-2,M0 were randomly assigned to a perioperative cycle (PC) of cyclophosphamide 600 mg/m2, epidoxorubicin 60 mg/m2, and fluorouracil 600 mg/m2 (CEF). Node-negative (N-) patients did not receive any further treatment. Node positive (N+) patients received 11 cycles if previously given PC, or 12 cycles of CEF alternated with cyclophosphamide 600 mg/m2, methotrexate 40 mg/m2, and fluorouracil 600 mg/m2 (CMF). In addition, N+ patients received concomitant or sequential 5-year tamoxifen therapy. RESULTS At a median follow-up duration of 5.7 years, no significant difference in survival (88% v 84%, P = .3) between the two treatment arms was seen. However, a difference of borderline significance in relapse-free survival (RFS; 76% v 70%, P = .053) was evident. A significant survival advantage for the PC arm was detected only in the estrogen receptor-negative (ER-) patients (P = .003). RFS was significantly improved in N- patients, postmenopausal patients, and ER- patients. Multivariate analyses show that pathologic tumor size, nodal status, receptor status, and treatment (only in ER- patients) are significantly correlated with survival and RFS. PC toxicity did not influence wound healing. CONCLUSION This study provides preliminary evidence that PC positively affects relapse rate and survival in some subgroups, namely, ER- patients.

scholarly journals Report of clinico-pathological features of breast cancer in HIV-infected and uninfected women in Botswana

2019 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rohini K. Bhatia ◽  
Mohan Narasimhamurthy ◽  
Yehoda M. Martei ◽  
Pooja Prabhakar ◽  
Jeré Hutson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Stage Iii ◽  
Disease Stage ◽  
Breast Cancers ◽  
Pathological Features ◽  
Breast Cancer Patients ◽  
Hiv Status ◽  
Receptor Status ◽  
Significant Difference

Abstract Background To characterize the clinico-pathological features including estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR) and Her-2/neu (HER2) expression in breast cancers in Botswana, and to compare them by HIV status. Methods This was a retrospective study using data from the National Health Laboratory and Diagnofirm Medical Laboratory in Gaborone from January 1, 2011 to December 31, 2015. Clinico-pathological details of patients were abstracted from electronic medical records. Results A total of 384 unique breast cancer reports met our inclusion criteria. Of the patients with known HIV status, 42.7% (50/117) were HIV-infected. Median age at the time of breast cancer diagnosis was 54 years (IQR 44–66 years). HIV-infected individuals were more likely to be diagnosed before age 50 years compared to HIV-uninfected individuals (68.2% vs 23.8%, p < 0.001). The majority of patients (68.6%, 35/51) presented with stage III at diagnosis. Stage IV disease was not presented because of the lack of data in pathology records surveyed, and additionally these patients may not present to clinic if the disease is advanced. Overall, 68.9% (151/219) of tumors were ER+ or PR+ and 16.0% (35/219) were HER2+. ER+ or PR+ or both, and HER2- was the most prevalent profile (62.6%, 132/211), followed by triple negative (ER−/PR−/HER2-, 21.3%, 45/211), ER+ or PR+ or both, and HER2+, (9.0%, 19/211) and ER−/PR−/HER2+ (7.1%, 15/211). There was no significant difference in receptor status noted between HIV-infected and HIV-uninfected individuals. Conclusions Majority of breast cancer patients in Botswana present with advanced disease (stage III) at diagnosis and hormone receptor positive disease. HIV-infected breast cancer patients tended to present at a younger age compared to HIV-uninfected patients. HIV status does not appear to be associated with the distribution of receptor status in breast cancers in Botswana.

scholarly journals Incidence and predictors of tuberculosis among HIV-positive adults on antiretroviral therapy at Debre Markos referral hospital, Northwest Ethiopia: a retrospective record review

2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Belisty Temesgen ◽  
Getiye Dejenu Kibret ◽  
Nakachew Mekonnen Alamirew ◽  
Mamaru Wubale Melkamu ◽  
Yitbarek Tenaw Hibstie ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Antiretroviral Therapy ◽  
Opportunistic Infections ◽  
Preventive Therapy ◽  
Hemoglobin Level ◽  
Disease Stage ◽  
Hiv Positive ◽  
Immunodeficiency Virus ◽  
Hiv Positive Adults ◽  
Record Review

Abstract Background Tuberculosis is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality among people living with human immunodeficiency virus. Almost one-third of deaths among people living with human immunodeficiency virus are attributed to tuberculosis. Despite this evidence, in Ethiopia, there is a scarcity of information regarding the incidence and predictors of tuberculosis among people living with HIV. Thus, this study assessed the incidence and predictors of tuberculosis among HIV-positive adults on antiretroviral therapy. Methods This study was a retrospective record review including 544 HIV-positive adults on antiretroviral therapy at Debre Markos Referral Hospital between January 1, 2012 and December 31, 2017. The study participants were selected using a simple random sampling technique. The data extraction format was adapted from antiretroviral intake and follow-up forms. Cox-proportional hazards regression model was fitted and Cox-Snell residual test was used to assess the goodness of fit. Tuberculosis free survival time was estimated using the Kaplan-Meier survival curve. Both the bi-variable and multivariable Cox-proportional hazard regression models were used to identify predictors of tuberculosis. Results In the final analysis, a total of 492 HIV-positive adults were included, of whom, 83 (16.9%) developed tuberculosis at the time of follow-up. This study found that the incidence of tuberculosis was 6.5 (95% CI: 5.2, 8.0) per 100-person-years (PY) of observation. Advanced World Health Organization clinical disease stage (III and IV) (AHR: 2.1, 95% CI: 1.2, 3.2), being ambulatory and bedridden (AHR: 1.8, 95% CI: 1.1, 3.1), baseline opportunistic infections (AHR: 2.8, 95% CI: 1.7, 4.4), low hemoglobin level (AHR: 3.5, 95% CI: 2.1, 5.8), and not taking Isonized Preventive Therapy (AHR: 3.9, 95% CI: 1.9, 7.6) were found to be the predictors of tuberculosis. Conclusion The study found that there was a high rate of tuberculosis occurrence as compared to previous studies. Baseline opportunistic infections, being ambulatory and bedridden, advanced disease stage, low hemoglobin level, and not taking Isonized Preventive Therapy were found to be the predictors of tuberculosis. Therefore, early detection and treatment of opportunistic infections like tuberculosis should get a special attention.

Psychosocial adjustment among women with breast cancer stages I and II: six-year follow-up of consecutive patients.

1994 ◽  
Vol 12 (9) ◽  
pp. 1778-1782 ◽  
Author(s):  
M Omne-Pontén ◽  
L Holmberg ◽  
P O Sjödén
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Psychosocial Adjustment ◽  
Social Adjustment ◽  
Negative Experience ◽  
Follow Up Study ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Long Term Follow Up ◽  
The Impact

PURPOSE To evaluate, in a long-term follow-up study of consecutive patients (N = 99), the impact of surgery--breast-conserving treatment (BCT) versus mastectomy (MT)--on psychosocial adjustment among women with breast cancer, pTNM stage I/II. PATIENTS AND METHODS Semistructured interviews were conducted at a median of 6 years (range, 5.8 to 8.1) after primary surgery. Sixty-six women were available for the long-term follow-up study. Twenty-six women had been treated with BCT and 40 with MT. RESULTS No statistically significant differences were found between the two groups concerning psychosocial adjustment, as measured by the Social adjustment Scale (SAS). In general, the levels of maladjustment were lower than at 13 months postoperatively, but 10% still showed maladjustment. Sixty percent of the women were unwilling to show themselves naked, and 22% felt that they had become less attractive because of the surgical treatment. In an explorative part of the interview, 68% of the women complained about how they had been informed of the diagnosis. A tendency toward a significant difference was found in the relation between previous maladjustment and a negative experience at the time of diagnosis (P = .07). CONCLUSION Few data are available on long-term follow-up results with regard to psychosocial adjustment among women after breast cancer surgery. This study provides the important information that there are no differences in patient psychosocial adjustment that can be ascribed to the type of surgery at 6-year follow-up evaluation.

scholarly journals Metastatic Breast Cancer Survival according to HER2 and Topo2a Gene Status

2009 ◽  
Vol 26 (4) ◽  
pp. 171-180 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. Todorović-Raković ◽  
Z. Nešković-Konstantinović ◽  
D. Nikolić-Vukosavljević
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Metastatic Breast Cancer ◽  
Cancer Survival ◽  
Growth Factor Receptor ◽  
Metastatic Breast ◽  
Her2 Amplification ◽  
Potential Marker ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
Significant Difference

The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between amplification of HER2 (Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2) and Topo2a (topoisomerase 2a) and their influence on prognosis in metastatic breast cancer (MBC) patients. Amplification of both HER2 and Topo2a genes was determined by chromogenic in situ hybridization (CISH) in primary tumor tissue of 71 MBC patients. Starting point for follow-up was the time of diagnosis of metastatic disease. Although there was significant correlation between HER2 amplification and Topo2a alterations, Topo2a amplification was not strictly related to HER2 amplification. Follow-up of patients showed that there was no difference in MBC survival between HER2-nonamplified and HER2-amplified patients for subgroup as whole, but there was significant difference in MBC survival between patients with and without Topo2a amplification. HER2 amplification showed prognostic value in subgroups of patients, as well as Topo2a. Combination of these two genes with different status (nonamplified, amplified, coamplified) indicated that they might have additive effect. Also, it has been shown that Topo2a-amplified cases have poorer survival than Topo2a-nonamplified, when treated with CMF therapy.Topo2a amplification seems to be more promising biomarker of MBC survival, than HER2, and potential marker of resistance to CMF therapy.

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