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Cited by 338Anesthesia and Pain ManagementCancer survivorship and careBreast Implant and Reconstruction

Long-term follow-up of breast cancer survivors with post-mastectomy pain syndrome

Open access
Macdonald, L, Bruce, J, Scott, N W, Smith, W C S, Chambers, W A·2005·British Journal of Cancer
DOI 10.1038/sj.bjc.6602304PMC PMC2361843
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Abstract

Post-mastectomy pain syndrome (PMPS) is a recognised complication of breast surgery although little is known about the long-term outcome of this chronic pain condition. In 1996, Smith et al identified a prevalence rate of PMPS of 43% among 408 women in the Grampian Region, Northeast Scotland. The aim of this study was to assess long-term outcome at 7-12 years postoperatively in this cohort of women, to describe the natural history of PMPS and impact of pain upon quality of life. Chronic pain and quality of life were assessed using the McGill Pain Questionnaire (MPQ) and Short Form-36 (SF-36). Of 175 women reporting PMPS in 1996, 138 were eligible for questionnaire follow-up in 2002. Mean time since surgery was 9 years (s.d. 1.8 years). A response rate of 82% (113 out of 138) was achieved; 59 out of 113 (52%) women reported continued PMPS and 54 out of 113 (48%) women reported their PMPS had resolved since the previous survey in 1996. Quality of life scores were significantly lower in women with persistent PMPS compared to those women whose pain had resolved. However, for women with persistent PMPS, SF-36 scores had improved over time. Risk factors for persistent PMPS included younger age and heavier weight. This study found that, of women reporting PMPS in 1996, half of those surveyed in 2002 continued to experience PMPS at a mean of 9 years after surgery.

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  • A majority of women report persistent psychological and physiological symptoms after breast cancer surgery.

    “Breast cancer is the most common form of cancer among women [1], and a majority of women report persistent psychological and physiological symptoms after breast cancer surgery [3–5].”

    From Pre- and post-operative psychological interventions to prevent pain and fatigue after breast cancer surgery (PREVENT): Protocol for a randomized controlled trial (2022) · cites this paper as [5]

    The Results (Prevalence of persistent PMPS; page unavailable) report persistent pain in 59 of 113 women previously identified with PMPS, but estimate it in 59 of 346 women in the broader follow-up group. The Results (Quality of life; page unavailable) also report poorer health-related quality of life among women with persistent pain. These findings support long-lasting physical symptoms and quality-of-life effects, but not the claim that a majority of women after breast cancer surgery report persistent psychological and physiological symptoms. (LLM, conf=0.88)

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Research works printed but not linked: 1

  1. Fields HL (1987) Pain. New York: McGraw-Hill

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Related

Authors
Macdonald, L., Bruce, J., Scott, N. W., Smith, W. C. S., & Chambers, W. A.
Affiliations
  • Aberdeen Royal Infirmary (GB)
  • University of Aberdeen (GB)
Corresponding author
Bruce, J
ORCID
Venue
British Journal of Cancer
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Published
2005-01
Volume
92
Issue
2
Pages
225-230
ISSN
  • 0007-0920 (ISSN-L)
  • 1532-1827
DOI
10.1038/sj.bjc.6602304
PMC
PMC2361843
OpenAlex
W2070855246
Cited by
338
References
32
Citations by year
2026: 8 · 2025: 11 · 2024: 9 · 2023: 14 · 2022: 18 · 2021: 16 · 2020: 12 · 2019: 21 · 2018: 18 · 2017: 14 · 2016: 30 · 2015: 14 · 2014: 21 · 2013: 24 · 2012: 25
FWCI
11.77
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • British Journal of Cancer (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc-sa)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Surgery › Anesthesia and Pain Management
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Oncology › Cancer survivorship and care
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Surgery › Breast Implant and Reconstruction
Keywords
post-mastectomy pain syndrome, breast cancer survivors, long-term outcomes, chronic pain, quality of life, natural history of pain, risk factors, age, body weight, breast surgery complications
MeSH terms
Age Factors, Body Weight, Breast Neoplasms, Follow-Up Studies, Humans, Male, Mastectomy, Middle Aged, Pain, Prognosis, Quality of Life, Surveys and Questionnaires, Risk Factors

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