Phantom breast sensations are frequent after mastectomy

Phantom breast sensation (PBS) following mastectomy has been recognized for many years. PBS is a feeling that the removed breast is still there. The reported prevalence and risk factors have not been established in large well-defined patient series. The purpose of this study was to examine the prevalence of PBS following mastectomy and associated risk factors.

This study was part of a nationwide cross-sectional questionnaire study of women aged 18-70 years treated for primary unilateral breast cancer in Denmark between 1 January 2005 and 31 December 2006. A detailed questionnaire was mailed to respondents between January and April 2008. Only questionnaires from mastectomised women were analyzed. The main outcome measures were prevalence of PBS in mastectomized Danish women and adjusted odds ratio (OR) of PBS with respect to age, pain in the breast area, surgical technique, chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

A total of 1,131 women (84%) answered the questionnaire. A total of 26% experienced PBS, viz. the proportion ranged from 18% to 35% within the six well defined treatment groups, but only young age was a risk factor for PBS (OR 1.030 per year; 95% CI 1.010-1.050; p = 0.0026).

The prevalence of PBS during the first 1-3 years after mastectomy is about 25% and it is related to young age.