Is screening of metastases based on symptoms effective in breast cancer patients?
This study was initiated to evaluate if the follow-up of breast cancer patients based only on symptoms is effective. 757 patients participated in the study. They filled out a questionnaire which asked for specific and non-specific symptoms of metastases which was developed by a team of expert oncologists. Surprisingly 76% of all patients complained of symptoms. 129 patients were therefore screened, but only 5% had metastases. 31 patients developed metastases during the study, most of whom did not have specific symptoms. Therefore follow-up with the aim of detecting metastases cannot be based on symptoms alone.
Jäger
W
W
Department of Obstetrics Gynecology, University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Germany.
Binder
H
H
Schindler
U
U
Krämer
S
S
Palapelas
V
V
D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000150:complications; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis / Q000175:diagnosis*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires