Late Effects of Breast Cancer Treatment and Outcome after Corrective Interventions

Abstract

Purpose: To study the late toxicities of treatment and its impact on Breast cancer survivors among Indian patients.<br />Materials and Methods: Our study recruited 152 curatively treated non metastatic carcinoma breast patients. The<br />baseline demographic details, disease related and treatment related information were collected. The late effects included<br />breast cancer related lymphedema, shoulder dysfunction, treatment induced bone loss, hypothyroidism, cardiac<br />dysfunction, and chemotherapy induced cognitive dysfunction and Quality of life. Results: The median age was 47<br />years (range 27 -72 years). The cumulative frequency of BCRL and shoulder dysfunction was 31.57% and 34.86%<br />respectively. The improvement in BCRL with corrective intervention was not statistically significant. The BCRL was<br />significantly associated with shoulder dysfunction. The frequency of loss of bone mineral density was 38.15%. There was<br />statistically significant improvement in bone mineral density with interventions. The cumulative rate of hypothyroidism<br />and cardiac dysfunction was 14.47 % and 2.17% respectively which improved after corrective therapy. We did not find<br />any delayed cognitive dysfunction. There was improvement in global health, physical function, role function, fatigue,<br />Nausea, vomiting, pain scores, insomnia, Loss of appetite, diarrhea and arm symptoms over time with intervention.<br />Conclusion: Our study has shown that nearly half of the survivors were suffering from at least one of the late effects.<br />The intervention helped in improving the loss of bone mineral density, hypothyroidism, cardiac dysfunction and quality<br />of life in Breast cancer survivors.