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Abstract

BACKGROUNDS:

Quality of life (QoL) has become a major concern as the survival time of breast cancer increases. We investigated the changes in QoL through comprehensive categorical analysis, for the first three years after breast cancer treatment including radiotherapy.

METHODS:

A total of 1156 patients were enrolled from 17 institutions. All survivors were grouped according to a surveillance period of 9-15 months (first year), 21-27 months (second year), and 33-39 months (third year) from the end of radiotherapy. The 5-dimensional questionnaire by the EuroQol group (EQ-5D) and the EORTC Quality of Life Questionnaire; breast cancer specific module (QLQ-BR23) were checked by self-administrated method.

RESULTS:

First, second and third year groups comprised 51.0, 28.9, and 21.0%. In EQ-5D-3 L (3-Likert scale) analysis, pain/discomfort and anxiety/depression categories showed lower QoL. In multivariate analyses of EQ-5D-VAS (visual-analogue scale), categories of pain/discomfort and self-care were improved with time; axillary dissection was a significant clinical factor deteriorates pain/discomfort, self-care and usual activities. In QLQ-BR23 analysis, the lowest scored category was sexual activity, followed by sexual enjoyment, future perspective, and hair loss, and the best scored category was breast symptoms. In multivariate analyses, arm symptoms, breast symptoms and body image were improved with time.

​CONCLUSIONS:

Categories of pain/discomfort and self-care in EQ-5D-VAS, arm/breast symptoms and body image in QLQ-BR23 were improved, while categories of anxiety/depression and future perspective BR23 were not, suggesting necessity of psychosocial support. This research provides comprehensive information on the categorical aspects of QoL and changes during early follow-up after breast cancer treatment.

Author information​

Rim CH1, Ahn SJ2, Kim JH3, Yoon WS4, Chun M5, Yang DS6, Lee JH7, Kim K8,9, Kong M10, Kim S11, Kim J12, Park KR9, Shin YJ13, Ma SY14, Jeong BK15, Kim SS16, Kim YB1, Lee DS17, Cha J18.

1 Department of Radiation Oncology, Yonsei Cancer Center, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.

2 Department of Radiation Oncology, Chonnam National Univiersity Hwasun Hospital, Hwasun, Jeollanam-do, Republic of Korea.

3 Department of Radiation Oncology, Dongsan Medical Center, Keimyung University, Daegu, Republic of Korea.

4 Department of Radiation Oncology, Ansan Hospital, Korea University, 123 Jeokgeum-ro, Danwon-gu, Ansan, Gyeonggi-do, 15355, Republic of Korea. irionyws@korea.ac.kr.

5 Department of Radiation Oncology, Ajou University, Suwon, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea.

6 Department of Radiation Oncology, Guro Hospital, Korea University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.

7 Department of Radiation Oncology, St. Vincent's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea.

8 Department of Radiation Oncology, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea.

9 Department of Radiation Oncology, Mokdong Hospital, Ewha Woman's University School of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.

10 Department of Radiation Oncology, Kyung Hee University Medical Center, Kyung Hee University School of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.

11 Department of Radiation Oncology, Boramae Medical Center, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.

12 Department of Radiation Oncology, Cheil General Hospital and Women's Healthcare Center, Dankook University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.

13 Department of Radiation Oncology, Sanggye Paik Hospital, Inje University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.

14 Department of Radiation Oncology, Kosin University Gospel Hospital, Busan, Republic of Korea.

15 Radiation Oncology, Gyeongsang National University School of Medicine and Gyeongsang National Univeristy Hospital, Jinju, Gyeongsangnam-do, Republic of Korea.

16 Department of Radiation Oncology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.

17 Department of Radiation Oncology, Uijeongbu St. Mary's Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea, Uijeongbu, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea.

18 Department of Medical Science Research Center, Ansan Hospital, Korea University, Ansan, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea.