Breast-Conserving Therapy or Amputation with Reconstruction: The Patient’s View

Summary

By means of a retrospective study, we compared the subjective appreciation of cosmetic results, complaints, and psychosocial problems of patients who underwent either breast amputation with reconstruction or breast-conserving therapy at the University Women’s Clinic, Heidelberg, between 1983 and 1986. Questionnaires completed by two groups of 50 patients were evaluated, taking into consideration the match criteria — absence of recurrence, menopausal status, and time elapsed since therapy was completed. The more-positive attitude toward cosmetic results, tolerance of therapy, acceptance of physical appearance, unchanged sensation of shame and self-consciousness, partner relationship, professional situation, and fear of recurrence — showed that patients who had undergone breast- conserving therapy were significantly more often satisfied with their treatment. Comparison with the group of patients who had amputation with reconstruction showed no significant differences in patients’ complaints. From an oncologic point of view, amputation with reconstruction and breast conservation are equivalent therapies, if we consider indications and limitations. From the patient’s point of view, breast conservation is clearly to be preferred.