Longitudinal changes of health-related quality of life over 10 years in breast cancer patients treated with radiotherapy following breast-conserving surgery

• DOI: 10.1007/s11136-023-03408-y
• Publication Date: 2023-04-24T15:02:36Z
• Authors: Yifeng Gao; Juan C. Rosas; Hanna Fink; Sabine Behrens; Jenny Chang-Claude; Petra Seibold
• Keywords: Breast-conserving surgery; Longitudinal Study

The study intended to (1) assess changes of health-related quality life (HRQoL) between early treatment-related time points and 10 years post-treatment in a cohort breast cancer (BC) patients who received radiotherapy (RT), (2) evaluate differences HRQoL long-term BC survivors unaffected women from the same geographical region (3) identify determinants survivor cohort.292 were recruited prior RT after breast-conserving surgery 1998 2001 Germany prospectively followed up for median 11.4 (range 10.3-12.8 years). was assessed using EORTC QLQ-C30 at pre-RT (baseline), during RT, 6 weeks 10-year follow-up. Changes mean scores over linear-mixed models. controls compared Wilcoxon rank-sum test, stratified by age groups. Multivariable linear regression models used survivors.Compared baseline level (mean summary score 64.9), global health status/quality (GHS/QoL) declined (62.4) improved (69.9) before decreasing follow-up (66.7). Most functional domains deteriorated or remained stable post-diagnosis post-RT scores, except role functioning which improved, while dyspnea diarrhea significantly those two points. There no significant GHS/QoL all groups (p > 0.05). However, deficits specific such as emotional burden, sleep problems fatigue found more strongly affect survivors, particular younger than 65 years, controls. In determinant analysis, being overweight associated with lower physical functioning, living others be better decreased pain levels. Certain comorbidities depression had strong association multiple domains, including well higher fatigue, pain, sleep/intestinal problems, financial difficulties. Side effects lymphedema/pain fibrosis worse social respectively.The comparable when control population restrictions certain symptoms persisted among survivors. Targeted screening risk psychosocial/other impairment accounting also treatment side may warranted aftercare address unmet needs.