The association between breast fibrosis, cosmetic outcomes, and long-term health-related quality of life after breast-conserving therapy: a multicenter cross-sectional observational cohort study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Breast fibrosis is a well-known late side-effect of breast-conserving therapy (BCT) and may lead to breast retraction, asymmetry, and pain. Since life expectancy of breast cancer patients has significantly improved in the past decades, cosmetic outcomes and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) have gained importance. This study aimed to investigate the association between breast fibrosis, cosmetic outcomes, and various HRQoL domains.

Methods

In this multicenter, cross-sectional, observational cohort (STARLINGS study), breast fibrosis was assessed (CTCAE version 5), breast photos were analyzed with BCCT.core software, and participants completed BREAST-Q, EORTC QLQ-BR23/C30, and 9-item cosmetic questionnaire. Associations between breast fibrosis and HRQoL and betw

SUBMITTER: Notenboom MCAW 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12355592 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature