Chronic Pain After Breast Cancer Surgery

Almost half of women reported ongoing pain; associated factors were younger age, adjuvant radiation therapy, and more-extensive axillary surgery.

In general, persistent postoperative pain occurs in as many as 50% of surgical patients; however, most studies of this condition have been retrospective. In a nationwide study linked to a prospective breast cancer database, Danish investigators sought to determine the prevalence of and factors associated with pain and sensory disturbances in a cross-sectional cohort of >3000 women who underwent breast cancer surgery. At a mean of 26 months after surgery, participants completed questionnaires about the location, severity, and frequency of pain.

Forty-seven percent of respondents reported pain (13% severe, 39% moderate, and 48% light). Factors associated with development of chronic pain were younger age (range, 18–39) and adjuvant radiation th…

Reviewing Author

Henry Mark Kuerer, MD, PhD, FACS

Disclosures

Speaker's BureauPhysicians’ Education Resource, LLC

RoyaltiesMcGraw-Hill Professional; UpToDate, Inc.

Editorial BoardsAnnals of Surgical Oncology

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesAmerican Society of Breast Surgeons (Chair, Publications Committee)

Henry Mark Kuerer, MD, PhD, FACS

Disclosures

Speaker's BureauPhysicians’ Education Resource, LLC

RoyaltiesMcGraw-Hill Professional; UpToDate, Inc.

Editorial BoardsAnnals of Surgical Oncology

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesAmerican Society of Breast Surgeons (Chair, Publications Committee)