[Purpose] The aim of this double-blind, randomized and placebo-controlled study is to
investigate the effects of Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation for reducing the
side effects of Chemotherapy-induced Peripheral Neuropathy in cancer patients undergoing
chemotherapy with oxaloplatin or paclitaxel. [Subjects and Methods] Twenty-four patients
were randomly allocated into two groups: active or placebo stimulation. All patients were
assessed for pain, numbness/tingiling, frequency of symptoms, and quality of life. The
transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation device was applied daily with modulating
frequencies ranging between 7 Hz and 65 Hz in distal limb regions during three cycles of
chemotherapy (45 days). The other stimulation parameters were: pulse duration of 200 μsec,
intensity at the highest tolerable level, and increases in intensity when it diminished.
[Results] The data showed no difference between active or placebo groups in terms of pain,
numbness/tingling, frequency of symptoms or impact on daily life activities. [Conclusion]
These results suggest that Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation applied in the
frequency variation mode was not proven to be effective to improve the symptoms of
Chemotherapy-induced Peripheral Neuropathy during chemotherapy cycles. There was no
worsening of symptoms in subsequent cycles of the onset of symptoms of the disease.
<b><i>Background:</i></b> Breast-conserving treatment (BCT) provides better quality of life (QL) than mastectomy without reconstruction. Oncoplastic surgery (OS) encompasses a series of surgical techniques, increasing the indications for BCT, but few studies have evaluated the impact on QL in patients who undergo BCT with OS. <b><i>Materials and Methods:</i></b> A prospective, cross-sectional study was conducted in women who underwent BCT. We evaluated the characteristics of patients who underwent BCT with and without OS and the associated QL. QL was assessed through the EORTC QLQ-30, EORTC QLQ-BR23, and Breast Cancer Treatment Outcome Scale (BCTOS) questionnaires. <b><i>Results:</i></b> A total of 300 patients underwent BCT, 72 underwent breast OS, and 37 underwent bilateral surgery. Patients who underwent OS were younger (<i>p</i> = 0.004), had a higher level of education (<i>p</i> = 0.01), had a smaller time interval since the end of treatment (<i>p</i> = 0.02), had tumours with greater dimensions (<i>p</i> = 0.003), and were more likely to receive neoadjuvant chemotherapy (<i>p</i> = 0.05). Based on the QL questionnaires, no difference was observed between the groups. Breast symmetry was not associated with high patient satisfaction (<i>p</i> = 0.55). <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> Despite the fact that OS was performed in patients with worse tumour conditions and in more demanding patients, OS allowed similar cosmetic results to classical BCT.
SUMMARY BACKGROUND: Breast conservative treatment (BCT) is safe when it is performed in association with radiotherapy. The number of referral for BCT has increased, and it has become an important treatment modality. Patients who undergo BCT present some characteristics that are associated with better quality of life compared with patients who undergo mastectomy without reconstruction. Instruments that measure the quality of life specifically used in cases of BCT are limited. One of these instruments is the Breast Cancer Treatment Outcome Scale (BCTOS), which has not yet been translated into Brazilian Portuguese. It contains 22 questions and four domains (functional, aesthetic, breast sensitivity and oedema). METHODS: We performed the translation and cultural adaptation process using Beaton's and EORTC translations process. In summary, the translation process is based on Portuguese translation, translation summary, reverse translation into English, expert committee, pre-test (10 patients), questionnaire review and test of the final version (6 patients). RESULTS: All 16 patients were submitted to quadrantectomy and mammary radiotherapy. Lymphedema was present in 4, altered strength in 5, and altered shoulder mobility in 6 patients. Considering the questionnaire, the reconciled version determined change in 2 items. Pre-test evaluation showed difficulties in 3 patients, but the questionnaire did not change. Test evaluation showed no problems. CONCLUSION: The translation of BCTOS into Portuguese will help us to evaluate the quality of life in BCT patients evaluating treatment-related sequelae and may be useful for oncoplastic surgery evaluation.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.