Patient satisfaction after breast cancer surgery: A prospective clinical trial

Summary Background This study investigated the impact of curative breast cancer surgery on patient satisfaction concerning cosmetic results and quality of life (QoL). Methods In this study 61 participants completed questionnaires to evaluate their QoL and patient satisfaction with cosmetic results f...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Wiener Klinische Wochenschrift 2021-01, Vol.133 (1-2), p.6-13
Main Authors: Leser, Carmen, Tan, Yen Y., Singer, Christian, Zeillinger, Robert, Fitzal, Florian, Lehrner, Johann, König, Daniel, Deutschmann, Christine, Gschwantler-Kaulich, Daphne
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Aged
Breast Neoplasms - surgery
Endocrinology
Gastroenterology
Humans
Internal Medicine
Mastectomy
Mastectomy, Segmental
Medicine
Medicine & Public Health
Middle Aged
Original
Original Article
Patient Satisfaction
Pneumology/Respiratory System
Prospective Studies
Quality of Life
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Summary:Summary Background This study investigated the impact of curative breast cancer surgery on patient satisfaction concerning cosmetic results and quality of life (QoL). Methods In this study 61 participants completed questionnaires to evaluate their QoL and patient satisfaction with cosmetic results following breast cancer surgery. Cosmetic outcomes were evaluated by the breast surgeon and an independent breast specialist using the Harris scale and the breast analyzing tool (BAT). Results Of the participants 71% completed all 4 follow-up visits, 38 (62%) patients received breast-conserving therapy (BCT) and 23 (38%) received a mastectomy. Surgery-associated complications arose in 2.6% of the patients who received BCT and 17.4% of patients who received a mastectomy. No significant differences in QoL between BCT patients and mastectomy patients were observed immediately after surgery, or after 6 and 12 months. Breast asymmetry, measured using the BAT score, and QoL scores were worst immediately after surgery. The surgeon rated the cosmetic results as better compared to the independent breast expert ( p  = 0.001). Furthermore, patients aged over 60 years old were less satisfied with the cosmetic outcome compared to younger patients at the time of discharge ( p  = 0.024). Patients who received a mastectomy were less satisfied when the resected volume was higher. Conclusion Patient satisfaction was lowest immediately after surgery but improved during the following months, despite continued breast asymmetry. For mastectomy patients, a lower resected volume led to a higher satisfaction with cosmetic results. Satisfaction is subjective and cannot be determined from the esthetic satisfaction of the surgeon or using an objective tool measuring breast asymmetry.
ISSN:0043-5325
1613-7671
DOI:10.1007/s00508-020-01730-w