Postmastectomy/postlumpectomy pain in breast cancer survivors

Janet S. Carpenter, Michael A. Andrykowski, Paul Sloan, Lauren Cunningham, Matthew J. Cordova, Jamie L. Studts, Patrick C. McGrath, David Sloan, Daniel E. Kenady

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

166 Scopus citations

Abstract

Few studies have focused on careful assessment of postmastectomy pain (PMP); a chronic neuropathic pain syndrome that can affect women postlumpectomy or postmastectomy for breast cancer (BC). Study aims were to determine the prevalence of PMP in an outpatient sample of breast cancer survivors (BCS), describe subjective and objective characteristics of PMP, and examine the relationship between PMP and quality of life. Breast cancer survivors (n = 134) participated in telephone interviews, and those reporting PMP (n = 36) were invited to a pain center for further evaluation and treatment. Results show PMP is a distinct, chronic, pain syndrome affecting 27% of BCS. Findings support the need for clinical trials evaluating the effectiveness of nonpharmacological or cognitive behavioral therapies in alleviating mild to moderate PMP.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1285-1292
Number of pages8
JournalJournal of Clinical Epidemiology
Volume51
Issue number12
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 1998

Keywords

  • Breast cancer
  • Complications
  • Pain
  • Post-mastectomy pain
  • Surgical pain

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Epidemiology

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