COSMETIC OUTCOME OF BREAST-CONSERVING THERAPY IN CHINESE PATIENTS WITH EARLY BREAST-CANCER

Background: Breast-conserving surgery combined with radiotherapy has e merged as an alternative to mastectomy for women with early breast can cer, and cosmetic outcome has correlated closely with the psychosocial and physical well-being of the patient. Cosmetic outcome assessment a fter breast-conserving therapy in Chinese patients has so far not been conducted among the clinicians, the patients or their spouses. Method s: The cosmetic results from breast-conserving therapy were evaluated in a group of 33 patients who had been selected as suitable for underg oing local excision, axillary dissection and postoperative radiation t herapy for early stage breast cancer. The success of the procedures wa s assessed by the patients, the clinicians and the patient's spouse, a nd their ratings were compared with each other. Results: Eighty per ce nt of the patients and their spouse were satisfied with the cosmetic o utcome. Using McNemar's test, when the groups were evaluated on a case -by-case basis, there was a good level of concordance between the pati ents and their spouses, and that of the patients and the clinicians. C onclusions: Evaluation of the cosmetic and psychosocial sequelae of br east cancer patients is essential when new approaches to treatment are introduced; our data suggest that cosmetically successful breast cons ervation is feasible in a selected group of Chinese women with early b reast cancer.