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Changes in shoulder muscle size and activity following treatment for breast cancer

  • Preclinical Study
  • Published:
Breast Cancer Research and Treatment Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Background

Morbidity of the shoulder after breast cancer is a well-known phenomenon. MRI studies have shown muscle morbidity in cervical cancer and prostate cancer. In breast cancer clinical observations and patient reports include muscle morbidity in a number of muscles acting at the shoulder. Several of these muscles lie in the field of surgery and radiotherapy. Timed interaction between muscles that stabilise the shoulder and those acting as prime movers is essential to achieve a smooth scapulohumeral rthythm during functional elevation of the arm.

Method: Cross-sectional study

Seventy-four women treated for unilateral carcinoma of the breast were included in the study. All patients filled out the Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI). EMG activity of four muscles was recorded during scaption on the affected and unaffected side. Muscle cross sectional area and signal intensity was determined from MRI scans. The association between EMG and covariates was determined using multiple linear regression techniques.

Results

Three of the 4 muscles on the affected side demonstrated significantly less EMG activity, particularly when lowering the arm. Upper trapezius demonstrated the greatest loss in activity. Decreased activity in both upper trapezius and rhomboid were significantly associated with an increase in SPADI score and increased time since surgery. Pectoralis major and minor were significantly smaller on the affected side.

Conclusion

Muscles affected in the long term are the muscles associated with pain and disability yet are not in the direct field of surgery or radiotherapy. Primary muscle shortening and secondary loss of muscle activity may be producing a movement disorder similar to the ‘Dropped Shoulder Syndrome’. Exercise programmes should aim not only for range of movement but also for posture correction and education of potential long-term effects.

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Acknowledgments

We would like to thank the Oxford Hospitals Research Charities for providing the funds for this research. Thank you to Colleen Berrington and Ion Lascurain-Aguiberra for their invaluable technical assistance, and Dr Karen Barker and Jane Moser for their critical reviews.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Physiotherapy, School of Health and Social Care, Oxford Brookes University, Jack Straws Ln, Marston, Oxfordshire, OX3 0FL, UK

    Delva R. Shamley & Ragavan Srinanaganathan

  2. Centre for Statistics in Medicine, Oxford, UK

    Rosamund Weatherall

  3. Department of Mathematical Sciences, Oxford Brookes University, Oxford, UK

    Reza Oskrochi

  4. MRI Unit, Nuffield Orthopaedic Hospital, Oxford, UK

    Marion Watson & Simon Ostlere

  5. Department of Oncology, Churchill Hospital, Oxford, UK

    Elaine Sugden

Authors
  1. Delva R. Shamley
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  2. Ragavan Srinanaganathan
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  3. Rosamund Weatherall
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  4. Reza Oskrochi
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  5. Marion Watson
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  6. Simon Ostlere
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  7. Elaine Sugden
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Correspondence to Delva R. Shamley.

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Shamley, D.R., Srinanaganathan, R., Weatherall, R. et al. Changes in shoulder muscle size and activity following treatment for breast cancer. Breast Cancer Res Treat 106, 19–27 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10549-006-9466-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10549-006-9466-7

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