PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES To explore women's expectations about postmastectomy reconstruction and factors affecting their quality of life after reconstruction. DESIGN Qualitative focus group study. SETTING Integrated healthcare system in a midwestern suburban community. SAMPLE 17 women who had undergone mastectomies with immediate reconstruction between 1.4 and 5 years previously and had partici...

Shear wave elastometry is important for improving the quality of treatment patients with postmastectomy edema upper limb. Objective : to assess density brachial plexus tissues measured by shear sonoelastometry in breast cancer who received combined modality treatment. Material and Methods . We examined 30 limb, underwent interscalene region. The side where radiation therapy (RT) was delivered c...

OBJECTIVE To prospectively evaluate the psychosocial outcomes and body image of patients 2 years postmastectomy reconstruction using a multicenter, multisurgeon approach. BACKGROUND Although breast reconstruction has been shown to confer significant psychosocial benefits in breast cancer patients at year 1 postreconstruction, we considered the possibility that psychosocial outcomes may remain...

BACKGROUND The current study describes the results of a double blind, placebo-controlled, randomized, single crossover trial of the treatment of patients with postmastectomy lymphedema (PML) with low-level laser therapy (LLLT). METHODS Participants received placebo or one cycle or two cycles of LLLT to the axillary region of their affected arm. They were monitored for reductions in affected l...

BACKGROUND According to European guidelines, breast cancer patients requiring mastectomy should be informed about available options regarding breast reconstruction. There are clear differences in the quality standards of oncoplastic care throughout Europe, with slight improvements in Central European countries like Hungary. The aim of the present investigation was to evaluate patients' knowledg...

PURPOSE Postmastectomy radiation therapy (PMRT) reduces locoregional recurrence (LRR) of breast cancer. Survival appears improved in patients at higher risk for LRR. This study addresses whether subsets of node-negative patients with sufficiently high risk of LRR might benefit from PMRT. METHODS Retrospective analysis of a cohort of 877 cases of node-negative breast cancer treated with mastec...

Background. Physical activity initiation and maintenance are particular challenges in the postmastectomy recovery and in particular Dragon Boat racing seems to be a useful sport activity. The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of focal muscle vibration as a proprioceptive input to improve upper limb functioning in a group of "paddlers" patients. Methods. A group of paddlers has been eva...