Long-Term Side Effects of Adjuvant Therapy in Primary Breast Cancer Patients: Results of a Web-Based Survey

BACKGROUND: Chronic treatment sequelae may substantially reduce the long-term quality of life in breast cancer survivors. METHODS: We report a comprehensive Web-based survey on the presence of long-term side effects of adjuvant anti-breast cancer therapy in 1,506 patients who had been diagnosed with primary breast cancer at least 1 year before. RESULTS: Fatigue, depression, depressive mood, concentration deficit, pain, changes of mucosa and skin appendages, as well as symptoms of peripheral neuropathy were the most prevalent reported complaints. Chemotherapies - taxane-based regimens in particular - were associated with increased rates of long-term symptoms, including persistent peripheral neuropathy. Overall, the data show a substantial prevalence of a wide variety of potentially treatment-associated symptoms over a protracted time frame after the diagnosis of breast cancer. The burden of symptoms was high for fatigue, depression, sleep disturbances, pain, and peripheral neuropathic symptoms. CONCLUSION: Estimating the burden of chronic toxicities should contribute to enhance rational decision-making on treatments including chemotherapy in patients with low versus high risk of recurrence.