title: Objectively measured breast symmetry has no influence on quality of life in breast cancer patients.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study investigates how quality of life (QoL) of breast cancer patients is related to breast symmetry.
  
  
  METHODS
  We objectively measured breast symmetry using the breast analyzing tool (BAT) in 101 patients after breast conserving surgery for breast cancer at different time points during follow up. We correlated the results with the quality of life measured at the same time using the breast image scale (BIS), the EORTC QLQ-BR23 scale and a not validated sexual score scale. Age, tumour size, tumour/breast relation and the use of oncoplastic surgery were also correlated with symmetry and quality of life scales. Using multivariate analyses, independent parameters for an improved quality of life were identified.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mean age was 56 (±11.6), and 75.2% of patients had T1 or T2 tumours. Patient age (p = 0.03) and tumour size (p = 0.01) significantly influenced objectively measured breast symmetry. The cosmetic result was important for 53% of patients while 48% found it not important. Independent from this, neither overall quality of life nor breast self esteem was influenced by breast symmetry in our patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  After breast cancer surgery, breast symmetry is not a major factor for patients' quality of life and breast self esteem. Cosmetic result seems to be less important than oncologic outcome in patients with breast cancer.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Medical University Vienna, Breast Health Care Center, Waehringer Guertel 18-20 Vienna, Austria. ruth.exner@meduniwien.ac.at
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Exner
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Krois
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mittlböck
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Dubsky
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Jakesz
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gnant
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Fitzal
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D001828:Body Image; D001940:Breast / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000601:surgery; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000523:psychology / Q000601:surgery*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004954:Esthetics; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D015412:Mastectomy, Segmental / Q000379:methods* / Q000523:psychology; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D009929:Organ Size; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life; D018570:Risk Assessment; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D014894:Weights and Measures