Scapula alata in early breast cancer patients enrolled in a randomized clinical trial of post-surgery short-course image-guided radiotherapy.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Scapula alata (SA) is a known complication of breast surgery associated with palsy of the serratus anterior, but it is seldom mentioned. We evaluated the risk factors associated with SA and the relationship of SA with ipsilateral shoulder/arm morbidity in a series of patients enrolled in a trial of post-surgery radiotherapy (RT).

Methods

The trial randomized women with completely resected stage I-II breast cancer to short-course image-guided RT, versus conventional RT. SA, arm volume and shoulder-arm mobility were measured prior to RT and at one to three months post-RT. Shoulder/arm morbidities were computed as a post-RT percentage change relative to pre-RT measurements.

Results

Of 119 evaluable patients, 13 (= 10.9%) had pre-RT SA. Age younger than 50 year

SUBMITTER: Adriaenssens N 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3488523 | biostudies-literature | 2012 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature