A Prospective Study Assessing the Impact of Different Chemotherapy Regimens and Type of Surgery on Quality of Life in Breast Cancer Patients Using the EORTC QLQ-BR45

Background: Breast cancer (BC) treatment modalities significantly impact
patient's quality of life (QoL). This study aimed to assess the effects of different
chemotherapy (CHT) regimen and surgical approaches on QoL in BC patients
using the EORTC QLQ-BR45 questionnaire.
Methods: A prospective single arm study was conducted on 100 BC patients.
Patients received AC/TAXOL, TCHP, or AC/TC CHT and underwent
BCS/SLNB, BCS/ALND, or MRM surgery. QoL was assessed using the
EORTC QLQ-BR45 questionnaire. Statistical analysis included ANOVA, chi-
square tests, and linear regression.
Results: BCS/SLNB showed superior outcomes in most QoL domains,
including body image (p=0.025) and systemic therapy side effects (p=0.004).
Linear regression analysis identified regaining menstruation (β=6.90, p<0.001),
BCS/SLNB surgery (β=4.40, p=0.003), and TCHP CHT (β=4.01, p=0.007) as
significant positive predictors of overall QoL, while age showed a slight
negative association (β=-0.31, p=0.025).
Conclusions: TCHP CHT and BCS/SLNB surgery were associated with better
QoL outcomes in BC patients. Regaining menstruation emerged as the strongest
predictor of improved QoL. These findings highlight the importance of
considering QoL impacts when selecting treatment strategies for BC patients.