title: [Breast cancer and quality of life--improvement by contralateral breast reconstruction and symmetrical mammaplasty?].
abstract: We present the results of a retrospective study on 71 patients who underwent breast reconstruction after uni- or bilateral breast cancer. Quality of life (QoL) was evaluated dependent on whether contralateral mammaplasties to obtain symmetry had been performed or not. We used three standardized questionnaires ("SF-36" and the EORTC-questionnaires "QLQ-C30" and "QLQ-BR23") and compared four groups of patients: Group 1: no contralateral breast cancer, but contralateral symmetrical mammaplasty (n = 31). Group 2: no contralateral breast cancer, no contralateral mammaplasty (n = 22). Group 3: contralateral breast cancer, contralateral symmetrical mammaplasty (n = 9). Group 4: contralateral breast cancer, no contralateral mammaplasty (n = 9). Patients with contralateral mammaplasty for symmetry presented statistically higher levels of QoL than patients who only underwent a surgical reconstruction of the carcinomatous breast without any contralateral mammaplasty. More detailed, group 1 manifested higher levels in 17 out of 31 QoL categories than group 2. Group 3, when compared to group 4, showed higher levels in 15 QoL categories. These objective data demonstrate that the outward appearance of the female breast as a symmetrical created organ plays a pivotal role considering QoL. There is significant need to integrate breast symmetry into our preoperative plastic-surgical planning and conversations with patients.
authors.affiliation: Klinik für Hand-, Brust- und Plastische Chirurgie (Chefarzt: PD Dr. J. Hoch), Klinikum Neustadt, Neustadt. marekkiene@web.de
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kiene
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hoch
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D016462:Mammaplasty / Q000523:psychology; D008875:Middle Aged; D011788:Quality of Life; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors