PSYCHOLOGIC AND COSMETIC SELF-ASSESSMENTS OF BREAST-CONSERVING THERAPY COMPARED WITH MASTECTOMY AND IMMEDIATE BREAST RECONSTRUCTION

Cosmetic and psychologic morbidity was evaluated by patients' seif-ass essment in 42 patients who underwent breast conserving therapy (BCT) a nd 48 patients who underwent mastectomy with immediate breast reconstr uction (MIBR). Although sexual adjustment and fear of cancer recurrenc e were not significantly different between the two groups, body image was rated as significantly better in the BCT group. Additionally, in t he MIBR group, nine patients expressed concern about abdominal or back scars and 15 related abdominal or back pain. Eighty-three percent of the BCT group indicated BCT as a future choice of treatment, whereas o nly 38% of the MIBR group indicated MIBR as a future choice of treatme nt. Therefore, body image and patients' satisfaction were thought to h ave been improved by BCT, but psychologic morbidity was the same in bo th groups. (C) 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.