title: Late treatment-related morbidity in breast cancer patients randomized to postmastectomy radiotherapy and systemic treatment versus systemic treatment alone.
abstract: Late treatment-related morbidity after mastectomy and adjuvant systemic treatment with and without postoperative irradiation was assessed in 84 patients randomized in the Danish Breast Cancer Cooperative Group Trials 82b and c. A structured interview and physical examination, using a standardized assessment sheet, constructed on the basis of the late effects normal tissues (LENT) scoring system, was used. The median length of follow-up from mastectomy was 9 years (range 6-13 years). Lymphedema was measured in 14%, of the irradiated patients versus 3% of the non-irradiated patients (NS). Slightly decreased shoulder morbidity was measured in 45% of the irradiated women versus 15% of the non-irradiated patients, but moderate or more severe impairment was seen in only 5% of the irradiated patients and in none of the non-irradiated patients (p = 0.004). Seventeen percent of the irradiated patients and 2% of the non-irradiated patients found that impairment of shoulder movement caused symptoms (p = 0.001).
authors.affiliation: Department of Oncology, Aarhus University Hospital, Denmark.
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Højris
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Andersen
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Overgaard
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Overgaard
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy* / Q000601:surgery; D002945:Cisplatin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008197:Lymph Node Excision; D008209:Lymphedema / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D008408:Mastectomy; D008727:Methotrexate / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D008875:Middle Aged; D009017:Morbidity; D018714:Radiotherapy, Adjuvant / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D012782:Shoulder / Q000473:pathology; D013629:Tamoxifen / Q000008:administration & dosage; D013684:Telangiectasis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology
chemical_list: D013629:Tamoxifen; D002945:Cisplatin; D005472:Fluorouracil; D008727:Methotrexate