Objective To evaluate the effectiveness of exercise and rehabilitation program in improving shoulder function and quality of life for breast cancer patients after mastectomy. Method We searched the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, JBI Database of Systematic Reviews, MEDLINE (1966 to 2008), EMbase (1989 to 2007), CINAHL (Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health literature), CBMdisc (1978 to 2008), and CNKI (1994 to 2008) to collect randomized controlled trials (RCTs). The quality of RCTs was critically appraised and data were extracted by 3 reviewers independently. Meta-analyses were conducted for the eligible RCTs. Result Nineteen RCTs were included. Stepwise upper extremity exercise and body exercise were reported in the rehabilitation program. Nine studies indicated that the rehabilitation program significantly improved the shoulder function of breast cancer patients after mastectomy. Four studies demonstrated its effect on cardiopulmonary function and body endurance. Six RCTs proved the effect of rehabilitation program on health-related quality of life and fatigue alleviation. Conclusion Rehabilitation program consisting of stepwise upper extremity exercise and full-body exercise is effective in improving the shoulder function and enhancing the quality of life of breast cancer patients after mastectomy. It also has a positive effect in reducing fatigue for those undergoing chemotherapy or radiotherapy.
Objective To compare the long-term outcome between breast-conserving therapy with mastectomy therapy for early stage invasive breast cancer through a Meta analysis of the randomized controlled trials published worldwide. Methods Cochrane systematic evaluation was used to search through Cochrane libraries of clinical comparative trials, PubMed, Embase, Cancer Lit, and so on. The quality of literatures was independently evaluated and cross-checked by two evaluators, indicators for assessment including death number at the end of follow-up, locoregional and total recurrence. The results were analyzed with RevMan 4.2.2 software. Results Six articles were involved in the Meta analysis with total 3 933 patients. No statistical difference was found in the death at the end of follow-up between breast-conserving therapy group and mastectomy therapy group (OR=1.05, 95% CI=0.93—1.19， P=0.45). Locoregional and total recurrence rate of breast-conserving therapy group were statistical higher than those in mastectomy therapy group (OR=1.64, 95% CI: 1.10—2.44， P=0.01； OR=1.42, 95% CI: 1.22—1.64， Plt;0.01). Conclusions Breast-conserving therapy and mastectomy therapy have comparable effects on mortality in patient with early stage invasive breast cancer, even after long-term follow up. However, breast-conserving therapy is associated with significantly greater risk of locoregional recurrence.
ObjectiveTo explore the method of implant coverage with local soft tissue in immediate implant-based breast reconstruction and to evaluate the early effectiveness. MethodsBetween April 2014 and August 2015, 11 patients with breast cancer underwent immediate breast reconstruction with implants after mastectomy, and the clinical data were reviewed retrospectively. The age ranged 29-48 years (mean, 36 years). The disease duration was from 7 days to 12 months (median, 3 months). According to tumor staging, 3 cases were rated as TisN0M0, 4 cases as T1N0M0, and 4 cases as T2N0M0. The implants were covered with local soft tissue according to the volume of mastectomy and contralateral breast size, including pectoralis major myocutaneous flaps with inframammary adipofasical flaps (3 cases), with serratus anterior fascial flap (5 cases), with rectus sheath fascial flap (1 case), and with serratus anterior fascial flap and rectus sheath fascial flap (2 cases). The size of pectoralis major myocutaneous flaps ranged from 15 cm×9 cm to 20 cm×15 cm, and the serratus anterior fascial flaps from 10 cm×8 cm to 15 cm×10 cm, and the rectus sheath fascial flap from 8 cm×6 cm to 10 cm×8 cm. ResultsOne patient had partial nipple necrosis postoperatively and was cured, and no other postoperative complications of hematoma, infection, or implant exposure was found. The patients were followed up 4-13 months (median, 8 months). The reconstructive outcomes were excellent in 10 cases and good in 1 case, with an excellent and good rate of 100%. During follow-up, no rupture or exposure of the implant was observed; capsular contracture (Baker grade II) occurred in 1 case. ConclusionAdequate coverage of implants with different local soft tissue flaps can achieve satisfactory early effectiveness in immediate implant-based breast reconstruction after mastectomy.