Long-Term Morbidity Following Axillary Dissection in Breast Cancer Patients – Clinical Assessment, Significance for Life Quality and the Impact of Demographic, Oncologic and Therapeutic Factors

Objective. This study describes in detail the surgery-related symptoms following axillary lymph node dissection in breast cancer patients and considers both their significance for long term quality of life and the impact of possible influencing factors.Material and methods: Three hundred and ninety six patients were studied retrospectively using a self-report questionnaire and a clinical examination. The symptoms, numbness, pain, edema, arm strength and mobility were evaluated. The subjective assessment of the degree of symptom intensity was compared with objective measurements. The extent of surgery (number of resected nodes, level of dissection) as well as the influence of demographic, oncologic and adjuvant measures (age, time interval, number of involved nodes, chemotherapy) were evaluated.