The influence of mastectomy and reconstruction on residual upper limb function in breast cancer survivors

Purpose: Breast cancer survivorship is common (90% of women survive 5 or more years), but many women are not able to return to full function and well-being after treatment due to functional limitations, persistent pain, and inability to perform daily activities. Since each surgical reconstructive option (e.g., autologous tissue flaps versus implants) can impact shoulder and arm function differently, it is important to understand how shoulder and upper limb strength, mobility, and function are influenced by the type of surgical intervention. Efforts can then focus on prehabiliation strategies to prevent the onset of limitations and on developing rehabilitation protocols that directly target shortcomings.

Methods: The current paper presents a review summarizing how shoulder and upper limb function may be affected by surgical mastectomy and breast reconstruction.

Results: Mastectomy and breast reconstruction with implants or autologous tissues present different functional outcomes for patients. Each surgical procedure is associated with unique sequelae derived from the tissues and procedures associated with each surgery. Characterizing the specific functional outcomes associated with each surgical approach will promote the development of targeted rehabilitation strategies that can be implemented into a multidisciplinary treatment planning pathway for breast cancer patients.

Conclusions: Surgical treatments for breast cancer, including mastectomy and breast reconstruction, can have negative effects. Focused efforts are needed to better understand treatment-specific effects so that targeted rehabilitation can be developed to improve patient function, QoL, and ability to return to work and life activities post-breast cancer.

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Work Title The influence of mastectomy and reconstruction on residual upper limb function in breast cancer survivors
Access
Open Access
Creators
  1. Meghan E. Vidt
  2. John Potochny
  3. Daleela Dodge
  4. Michael Green
  5. Kathleen Sturgeon
  6. Rena Kass
  7. Kathryn H. Schmitz
Keyword
  1. Breast cancer survivor
  2. Upper limb
  3. Shoulder
  4. Function
  5. Quality of life
  6. Return to work
License In Copyright (Rights Reserved)
Work Type Article
Publisher
  1. Breast Cancer Research and Treatment
Publication Date June 6, 2020
Publisher Identifier (DOI)
  1. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10549-020-05717-z
Deposited July 20, 2022

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Version 1
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  • Created
  • Added The_influence_of_mastectomy_and_reconstruction_on_residual_upper_limb_function_in_breast_cancer_survivors.pdf
  • Added Creator Meghan E Vidt
  • Added Creator John Potochny
  • Added Creator Daleela Dodge
  • Added Creator Michael Green
  • Added Creator Kathleen Sturgeon
  • Added Creator Rena Kass
  • Added Creator Kathryn H. Schmitz
  • Published
  • Updated Keyword, Description, Publication Date Show Changes
    Keyword
    • Breast cancer survivor, Upper limb, Shoulder, Function, Quality of life, Return to work
    Description
    • <p>Purpose: Breast cancer survivorship is common (90% of women survive 5 or more years), but many women are not able to return to full function and well-being after treatment due to functional limitations, persistent pain, and inability to perform daily activities. Since each surgical reconstructive option (e.g., autologous tissue flaps versus implants) can impact shoulder and arm function differently, it is important to understand how shoulder and upper limb strength, mobility, and function are influenced by the type of surgical intervention. Efforts can then focus on prehabiliation strategies to prevent the onset of limitations and on developing rehabilitation protocols that directly target shortcomings. Methods: The current paper presents a review summarizing how shoulder and upper limb function may be affected by surgical mastectomy and breast reconstruction. Results: Mastectomy and breast reconstruction with implants or autologous tissues present different functional outcomes for patients. Each surgical procedure is associated with unique sequelae derived from the tissues and procedures associated with each surgery. Characterizing the specific functional outcomes associated with each surgical approach will promote the development of targeted rehabilitation strategies that can be implemented into a multidisciplinary treatment planning pathway for breast cancer patients. Conclusions: Surgical treatments for breast cancer, including mastectomy and breast reconstruction, can have negative effects. Focused efforts are needed to better understand treatment-specific effects so that targeted rehabilitation can be developed to improve patient function, QoL, and ability to return to work and life activities post-breast cancer.</p>
    • Purpose: Breast cancer survivorship is common (90% of women survive 5 or more years), but many women are not able to return to full function and well-being after treatment due to functional limitations, persistent pain, and inability to perform daily activities. Since each surgical reconstructive option (e.g., autologous tissue flaps versus implants) can impact shoulder and arm function differently, it is important to understand how shoulder and upper limb strength, mobility, and function are influenced by the type of surgical intervention. Efforts can then focus on prehabiliation strategies to prevent the onset of limitations and on developing rehabilitation protocols that directly target shortcomings.
    • Methods: The current paper presents a review summarizing how shoulder and upper limb function may be affected by surgical mastectomy and breast reconstruction.
    • Results: Mastectomy and breast reconstruction with implants or autologous tissues present different functional outcomes for patients. Each surgical procedure is associated with unique sequelae derived from the tissues and procedures associated with each surgery. Characterizing the specific functional outcomes associated with each surgical approach will promote the development of targeted rehabilitation strategies that can be implemented into a multidisciplinary treatment planning pathway for breast cancer patients.
    • Conclusions: Surgical treatments for breast cancer, including mastectomy and breast reconstruction, can have negative effects. Focused efforts are needed to better understand treatment-specific effects so that targeted rehabilitation can be developed to improve patient function, QoL, and ability to return to work and life activities post-breast cancer.
    Publication Date
    • 2020-01-01
    • 2020-06-06
  • Renamed Creator Meghan E. Vidt Show Changes
    • Meghan E Vidt
    • Meghan E. Vidt
  • Updated