Impact of sentinel lymph node biopsy in quality of life of women submitted to breast conservative surgery

Abstract

Objective: To compare setorectomia techniques coupled with sentinel lymph node biopsy and setorectomia added to the total axillary lymphadenectomy about the impact on quality of life of patients with breast cancer. Methods: Cross-sectional study comparing quality of life among patients undergoing different techniques of conservative breast surgery, in Chapecó, through application of Quality of Life Questionnaire for mastectomy patients, prepared by the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer. The participants were patients diagnosed with breast carcinoma underwent conservative surgery between the years 2004 and 2009, divided into case group (sentinel node biopsy) and control group (axillary lymphadenectomy total), with 49 patients in each group. Results: The mean scores of quality of life was (sentinel lymph node=6,32; lymphadenectomy=5,35), the mean scores of each domain were: body image (sentinel lymph node=3,92; lymphadenectomy= 3,82), fear of recurrence (sentinel lymph node=3,15; lymphadenectomy=3,00), satisfaction with treatment (sentinel lymph node=1,22; lymphadenectomy=1,46), aesthetic results (sentinel lymph node=2,14; lymphadenectomy=2,85). Conclusions: Patients undergoing setorectomia coupled with sentinel lymph node biopsy related better quality of life scores, which also caused less fear of recurrence. Older patients have better perception of their body image; have less fear of recurrence and feel more satisfied with treatment. Quality of life was affected negatively by the greater weight of the excised specimen and the location of the tumor in the center of the breast.