Comparison of quality of life and arm complaints after axillary lymph node dissection versus sentinel lymph node biopsy in breast cancer patients

Background: The sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) represents a minimal invasive surgical method for axillary staging in patients with primary breast cancer. Patients and methods: In a prospective study evaluation of quality of life (QOL) and arm morbidity was performed before surgery on a total of 56 breast cancer patients. The EORTC QLQ-C30 and EORTC QLQ-BR23 questionnaires were used for QOL assessment. Assessment of pain was additionally observed using the McGill Pain Questionnaire. Arm mobility was observed by goniometric measurement of arm movement. Data were collected before surgery (t1), one week after dis…