European journal of surgical oncology : the journal of the European Society of Surgical Oncology and the British Association of Surgical Oncology
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Chronic post-treatment symptoms in patients with breast cancer operated in different surgical units.
This study was designed to find out whether women operated in high volume surgical units have less chronic symptoms than women operated in smaller volume units. ⋯ More careful surgical technique seems to reduce the risk of chronic pain following treatment of breast cancer. Chronic pain is associated with more intense post-operative pain and depression.
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Review Practice Guideline Guideline
British Association of Surgical Oncology Guidelines. The management of metastatic bone disease in the United Kingdom. The Breast Specialty Group of the British Association of Surgical Oncology.
Bone metastases can present to a number of different specialties and their successful management requires a coordinated approach with good liaison between the specialists. Patients who respond to systemic therapy for their metastases have a good chance of being alive at 3 years, and 20% will be alive at 5 years. This means that it is worth palliating these patients properly. ⋯ The guidelines describe the possible ways of assessing response to treatment and the difficulties that may be encountered, including a discussion of the role of tumour markers in assessment of response. A final section looks at palliative care principles in bone pain management, acknowledging the need for continuation of good care throughout the patient's journey, from diagnosis onwards. We very much hope these guidelines will stimulate individuals and institutions to improve the process of delivering care to this group of patients.