Functional capacity of women with breast neoplasm undergoing palliative chemotherapy

To evaluate the functional capacity of women with breast neoplasm undergoing palliative chemotherapy.

Cross-sectional study with an analysis of medical records of women with breast cancer undergoing palliative chemotherapy.

Out of one hundred evaluated records, most registered 50 years or older (66%), primary education (53%), an income of 1 to 2 minimum wages (87%), invasive ductal carcinoma (95%), positive hormone receptor (64%), and histological grade 1 and 2 (57%). Performance status 0 (49%), 1 (39%), and 2 (12%) were prevalent; these imply, respectively, active patients, with mild and moderate activity restriction. One to four chemotherapy schemes were associated with the inappetence (p =0.00) and weight loss (p =0.001) symptoms. The main complications were neuropathy (31%), medullary compression syndrome (21%), neutropenia (9%), and death (28%).

Out of the analyzed women, 88% presented functional capacity 0 and 1, had no or mild restriction of daily activities, were multiply treated, and manifested manageable symptoms. Others, however, presented moderate to severe clinical complications during the treatment, progressing to exclusive palliative care or death.