Quality of Life Assessment After Conserving Breast Surgery and Intraoperative Radiotherapy (IORT) in Breast Cancer Patients Using the BREAST-Q Questionnaire

Marina Caldana (1), Davide Lombardi (2), Silvia Urbani (3), Francesca Pellini (4), Sara Mirandola (5), Eleonora Granuzzo (6), Giovanni Paolo Pollini (7)
(1) a Operative Unit of Breast Surgery Complex, Breast Unit, Oncologic Surgery Department, AOUI, Verona, Italy, Italy,
(2) a Operative Unit of Breast Surgery Complex, Breast Unit, Oncologic Surgery Department, AOUI, Verona, Italy, Italy,
(3) a Operative Unit of Breast Surgery Complex, Breast Unit, Oncologic Surgery Department, AOUI, Verona, Italy, Italy,
(4) a Operative Unit of Breast Surgery Complex, Breast Unit, Oncologic Surgery Department, AOUI, Verona, Italy, Italy,
(5) a Operative Unit of Breast Surgery Complex, Breast Unit, Oncologic Surgery Department, AOUI, Verona, Italy, Italy,
(6) a Operative Unit of Breast Surgery Complex, Breast Unit, Oncologic Surgery Department, AOUI, Verona, Italy, Italy,
(7) a Operative Unit of Breast Surgery Complex, Breast Unit, Oncologic Surgery Department, AOUI, Verona, Italy, Italy

Abstract

Background: In women undergoing breast surgery, Measurement of Patient Related Outcome Measures (PROMs) is important for improving the process of care, focusing on the patient's perspective. BREASTQ is a validated patient-reported outcome measure used increasingly in aesthetic and recostructive surgery. Only recently a breast conserving therapy module (BREASTQ-BCT) has been available. The aim of this study was to assess patient satisfaction and quality of life using BREAST-Q questionnaire in patients undergoing breast conserving surgery (BCS) plus IORT.
Methods: Women undergoing BCS plus IORT for an early-stage breast cancer for at least a year were invited by telephone to partecipate. We scheduled dedicated outpatient visits to our center. The medical interviewer collected medical history information and administered the BREASTQ-BCT in paper format. Data were inserted in a de-identified database. Univariate regression analysis was used to identify clinicopathological variables associated with "satisfaction with breast" domain score.
Results: Overall, 38 women completed the questionnaire. The domains of the questionnaire that obtained the lowest scores were ‘satisfaction with IORT information’ and ‘satisfaction with breasts’ (median score 59, IQR 55-73 and 51-69.5). Weight of specimen and vascular invasion were risk factors for lower ‘Satisfaction with breasts’ at univariate analysis. There was a moderate-strong correlation between 'satisfaction with the breasts' and 'psychosocial wellbeing' and 'Sexual wellbeing'.
Conclusions: In this retrospective study, without a pre-operative questionnaire, changes in individuals’ satisfaction and quality of life could not be identified. A prospective study comparing BCS plus external RT group and BCS plus IORT group could be informative.

References

Read More

Authors

Marina Caldana
marina.caldana@aovr.veneto.it (Primary Contact)
Davide Lombardi
Silvia Urbani
Francesca Pellini
Sara Mirandola
Eleonora Granuzzo
Giovanni Paolo Pollini
1.
Caldana M, Lombardi D, Urbani S, Pellini F, Mirandola S, Granuzzo E, Pollini GP. Quality of Life Assessment After Conserving Breast Surgery and Intraoperative Radiotherapy (IORT) in Breast Cancer Patients Using the BREAST-Q Questionnaire. Arch Breast Cancer [Internet]. 2020 Nov. 16 [cited 2025 Jan. 9];:183-8. Available from: https://archbreastcancer.com/index.php/abc/article/view/318

Article Details