title: Consistency of breast and arm symptoms during the first two years after breast cancer surgery.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To examine the severity and development of breast and arm symptoms separately during the two years following breast cancer surgery, and to examine whether previously defined predictors of arm symptoms are associated with breast symptoms.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective cohort study with two-year follow-up.
  
  
  METHODS
  Three institutions in the Stockholm, Sweden, region.
  
  
  METHODS
  645 women, aged 20-63 years, enrolled within 12 weeks of surgery for primary breast cancer.
  
  
  METHODS
  Baseline register and questionnaire data with five follow-ups were submitted to descriptive, inferential, and logistic regression analysis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Severity of breast and arm symptoms measured by the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer breast cancer-specific quality-of-life questionnaire.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Most participants had undergone breast-conserving  surgery and sentinel lymph node dissection, and were scheduled for postoperative radiation therapy. Overall mean levels of breast and arm symptoms were low, but with large individual variations. At all six time points, the mean levels of breast symptoms were significantly higher than those of arm symptoms. Overall, the mean level of both types of symptoms decreased during follow-up. A body mass index (BMI) of 25 or greater and breast symptoms at eight months were associated with having breast symptoms at two years. Arm symptoms at baseline and at eight months, and radiation therapy and a BMI of 25 or greater were associated with having arm symptoms at two years.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Breast symptoms show different patterns of change and are not associated with the same factors as arm symptoms.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  For nurses monitoring women treated for breast cancer, the results of this study provide knowledge regarding the importance of early symptom identification and long-term symptoms after treatment.
authors: Karolinska Institutet.
authors: Agneta
authors: A
authors: Wennman-Larsen
authors: Karolinska Institutet.
authors: Lena-Marie
authors: LM
authors: Petersson
authors: Karolinska Institutet.
authors: Fredrik
authors: F
authors: Saboonchi
authors: Karolinska Institutet.
authors: Kristina
authors: K
authors: Alexanderson
authors: Karolinska Institutet.
authors: Marjan
authors: M
authors: Vaez
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001132:Arm; D001365:Axilla / Q000528:radiation effects / Q000601:surgery; D015992:Body Mass Index; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000451:nursing / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000601:surgery*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008197:Lymph Node Excision / Q000009:adverse effects; D008209:Lymphedema / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000451:nursing; D016462:Mammaplasty / Q000009:adverse effects; D008408:Mastectomy / Q000009:adverse effects; D015412:Mastectomy, Segmental / Q000009:adverse effects; D059373:Mastodynia / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000451:nursing; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000451:nursing; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011832:Radiation Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D018714:Radiotherapy, Adjuvant / Q000009:adverse effects; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D012678:Sensation Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000451:nursing; D021701:Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy / Q000009:adverse effects; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013548:Sweden / Q000453:epidemiology; D063189:Symptom Assessment; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: BMI; axillary surgery; breast cancer; breast surgery; breast/arm symptoms; radiation therapy