Partial Breast Irradiation: A Longitudinal Study of Symptoms and Quality of Life

In many women with early-stage breast cancer, breast-conserving surgery (BCS) with partial breast irradiation (PBI) has similar overall survival and local recurrence rates compared to BCS with whole-breast irradiation (WBI). A better understanding of the quality of life (QOL) outcomes during and following BCS with PBI versus BCS with WBI is needed.

This study was conducted to examine symptoms, symptom distress, cosmesis, QOL, and perceived body image in women during and after BCS with PBI.

A convenience sample of 31 women completed self-reports pre- and post-PBI over six months. Descriptive statistics and repeated- measures analysis were performed at baseline and three times post-PBI.

Most women reported satisfaction with body image and good QOL, despite a small decline in social well-being. Fatigue and mild to moderate symptom distress persisted over time.