Evaluation of the quality of life of women treated due to breast cancer using amputation or breast conserving surgery in the early postoperative period

Selection of the treatment method in breast cancer patients and its consequences may affect their quality of life through somatic, psychical, and social factors. The aim of the study was early evaluation of the quality of life of women after mastectomy vs. breast conserving surgery. Material and methods. The study included 100 women aged 31 to 79 years (mean: 57) who underwent surgery due to breast cancer (amputation: 52; breast conserving surgery: 48 women) at the Cancer Centre in Bydgoszcz in 2014. The QLQ C-30 and QLQ BR-23 questionnaires were used to evaluate the quality of life of the patients 3 months after surgery. Results. In the Global Health Status/QoL domain, the mean score for women after amputation and breast conserving surgery was 49 and 53, respectively; for Physical Functioning, the scores were 70 and 75, and for Role Functioning, 62 and 68, respectively. For Cognitive Functioning, the mean score was 74 and 73; for Emotional Functioning - 62 and 68, and for Social Functioning 64 and 60, respectively. The difference in the arm symptoms domain was significant at 46 and 33 points, respectively (p = 0.004). The patients treated with breast conserving surgery had a better body image than women after amputation - the mean score was 52 and 66, respectively (p = 0.01). Conclusions. With respect to Global Health Status/QoL and Physical Functioning, the quality of life of women in the early postoperative period was similar in women after breast amputation and those who underwent breast conserving surgery. Patients treated with breast conserving surgery had a better score for body image, while those who underwent amputation more often suffered from arm symptoms, such as pain, oedema, and problems with raising of the limb.