Background/Aim. Secondary lymphedema of the arm is one of possible side-effects and complications of breast cancer and its treatment which can contribute and precipitate to a number of new psychosocial problems. The aim of this study was to examine the differences in quality of life of patients suffering from breast cancer, with arm lymphedema and those without lymphedema, and to determine the significance of the perception of the disease, depressive symptoms and self-efficacy contribution to overall quality of life. Methods. The research was designed as a cross-sectional study, which included 64 patients-34 with arm lymphedema and 30 without lymphedema. Questionnaire FACT-B + 4 was applied to assess the quality of life, BIPQ for the perception of the disease, depression was measured by DASS-21 scale, while self-efficacy was tested by SGSE scale. T-test, Mann Whitney U Test, χ 2 test and hierarchical regression analysis were applied to data processing. Results. There was not any significant difference between the groups in the total score of quality of life (t = 0.469, p > 0.05), or in the individual subscales: physical well-being (t = 0.535, p > 0.05), social/family well-being (t = 1.43, p > 0.05), emotional well-being (t = 1.35, p > 0.05), functional well-being (z =-0.243, p > 0.05), breast cancer scale (t =-0.839, p > 0.05) and arm scale (t =-0.514, p >0.05), while the perception of the disease (β =-0.603, t =-5.958, p < 0.001) and depression (β =-0.411, t =-4.101, p < 0.001) proved to be significant predictors of quality of life and explain 50.2% variance of overall quality of life. Conclusion. The results of our study indicate the importance of a comprehensive rehabilitation program, directed both at functional and psychosocial aspects.

These findings suggest that psychological support is important in this early period after breast surgery due to the vulnerability of the patients, and because it can diminish the risk of potential escalation of distress.

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Research regarding the illusion of control was dominated by the studies examining the effect of depressive affect on the overestimation of control over uncontrollable events. However, the relative contributions of high Negative Affect (NA) and low Positive Affect (PA), as underlying dimensions of depressive states, has remained unclear. This study researched how both PA and NA had affected the illusion of control. Two weeks before illusion induction, trait PA and NA of 54 first-year university students were assessed, and just before and after illusion induction task their state forms were estimated. The induction consisted of solving unsolvable tasks and obtaining positive feedback for all the answers. The illusion of control was significantly correlated with all three PA scores, and none of the NA. After controlling for trait measures, the PA after illusion induction remained the only significant predictor of illusion. The relation of positive affect and illusory judgement in maintaining mental health were discussed

Introduction. Along with a high intensity emotional distress, cancer patients often face neurocognitive changes that are particularly pronounced after chemotherapy. Clinical features of neurocognitive deficits in non-central nervous system cancer patients. So far, studies have demonstrated that neurocognitive changes most often occur in domains of executive functions, attention and concentration, working memory, information processing speed and visuospatial abilities, but there is still no definite protocol for the diagnosis and management of this condition. Potential causal mechanisms and risk factors. Apart from chemotherapy, there are other factors associated with the development and manifestation of neurocognitive deficits in cancer patients: genetic, biological, psychological and socio-demographic. Assessment of cancer-related cognitive impairments. When assessing potential cognitive impairments, it is beneficial to combine neuropsychological test battery and self-report questionnaires for the assessment of cognitive and affective status, as well as modern neuroimaging methods that will indicate neural (structural and functional) changes underlying neurocognitive deficit. The role of psychosocial factors: implications for future research. In addition to cognitive reserve and emotional status, the patient?s personal characteristics may very likely play an important role in explaining neurocognitive functioning and neurocognitive adaptation of cancer patients upon completion of treatment. Conclusion. Further studies are needed to elucidate the mechanisms underlying neurocognitive changes in cancer patients, with special emphasis on the contribution of psychosocial factors. Based on the novel findings, adequate and timely cognitive rehabilitation treatment will be provided for patients suffering from malignant diseases.

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Introduction. Sedation is the reduction of irritability or agitation by the use of certain drugs mostly to facilitate therapeutic or diagnostic procedures. Scales for evaluation of the depth of sedation. Riker Sedation-Agitation Scale and Richmond Agitation-Sedation Scale are the most commonly used scales. Drugs. Sedation is generally produced by using medications from the group of opioids, benzodiazepines, intravenous and inhalation general anesthetic agents, neuroleptics, phenothiazines, α-agonists and barbiturates. Adverse effects of sedatives. Sedation is often associated with hypotension, prolonged mechanical ventilation and longer time on respiratory support, higher frequency of delirium, immunosuppression, deep vein thrombosis, increased risk for development of nosocomial pneumonia, all of which leads to the prolonged recovery time. Conclusion. Sedatives currently used in intensive care units are widely used, but they have limitations. The goal is to get the desired level of sedation with as few side effects as possible.

Introduction. The most common functional complications after the treatment of breast cancer are reduction of range of motion in the shoulder joint (incidence of 10 to 73%), lymphedema of the arm (10-30%) and nerve damage of the arm or damage of brachial plexus (1.8-4.9%). Multiple complications rarely occur and they are usually of mild to moderate forms.Case report. VV (woman), born in 1965 was exposed to quadrantectomy of the left breast with axillary dissection in 2003 (histopathology: ductal carcinoma; 4 removed lymph nodes, 1 of which with a secondary deposit). After the surgical intervention, the patient underwent chemotherapy (CMF protocol VI cycles) and radiation therapy (50 Gy/12 cycles). Four months after the therapy completion, lymphedema of the left arm was developed, and few months later brachial plexus injury as well. First visit to physiatrist was five years later, with a significant reduction of range of motion in the left arm and severe lymphedema (maximum difference to 7.5 cm). EMNG trial indicated a moderate lesion of left median nerve and ulnar nerve and mild to moderate lesion of left radial nerve injury; DASH score was 107. After repeated physical treatments (since 2009), the last control in October 2016 showed that the functional status was significantly improved: reduction of range of motion was present in flexion and abduction only, lymphedema was reduced (maximum difference of 5.5 cm); DASH score was 48, while EMNG indicated a lesion of the median nerve and ulnar nerve in lower level, with signs of recovery. Conclusion.The implementation of an early rehabilitation program for the patients who were surgically treated for breast cancer is necessary in order to prevent functional complications and to enable contin-uous monitoring of the patients, while in the case with already developed complications, physical therapy should be initiated regardless of the period in which the functional limitations occurred.