Skip to main content

Table 2 A list of some overview papers on quality of life in breast cancer patients (1974–2007)

From: Health-related quality of life in breast cancer patients: A bibliographic review of the literature from 1974 to 2007

Author(s) [Ref.]

Year

Main focus

Conclusion(s)

McEvoy and McCorkle [7]

1990

QOL in advanced breast cancer

Efforts to manage advanced breast cancer must include both current medical therapies and attention to the critical factors associated with enhancing their QOL.

Kiebert et al. [8]

1991

Impact of breast conserving surgery vs. mastectomy on QOL

There were no substantial differences between the two treatment modalities except for body image and sexual functioning in favor of breast conserving surgery.

Aarenson [9]

1993

Assessments of QOL and benefits from adjuvant therapies

Adjuvant therapies could improve QOL in breast cancer patients.

Bryson and Plosker [10]

1993

Tamoxifen as adjuvant therapy

Tamoxifen has a low cost-utility ratio in postmenopausal women with node-positive, estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer.

Stefanek [11]

1994

QOL research, provider-patient communication, and psychological distress of spouses and other relatives of breast cancer patients

This review summarizes and critiques publications in three identified areas.

Ganz [12]

1994

Review of various approaches to the measurement of QOL, the important QOL issues in the treatment of breast cancer, and what is known about QOL of older women with breast cancer

Ongoing and future research using newer approaches to QOL assessment should provide additional information on this important topic.

Osoba [13]

1994

QOL as a treatment endpoint

Advances in understanding HRQOL in metastatic breast cancer will aid the development of rational treatment policies.

Carlson [14]

1998

QOL in metastatic breast cancer

Clinician must balance anti-tumor activity, performance status, and the usual toxicity measures as surrogates for QOL associated with each specific therapy.

Leedham and Ganz [15]

1999

Psychological concerns and mental health

Psychological concerns and mental health are important issues for breast cancer patients and should be recognized and treated when necessary.

Rustoen and Begnum [16]

2000

Nursing practice

Nurses play an important role in meeting the needs of breast cancer patients.

Shapiro et al. [17]

2001

Relationship between psychosocial variables and QOL

A broader, more integrative framework that includes psychosocial factors is needed to evaluate breast cancer consequences.

Partridge et al. [18]

2001

QOL before, during and after high-dose chemotherapy

Resulting transient impaired overall QOL with subsequent improvement over time.

Kurtz and Dufour [19]

2002

QOL in older patients with metastatic disease receiving either standard treatment or new drugs

Aromatase inhibitors (such as taxanes and orally administered chemotherapy) provide similar or a better QOL as compared to first line endocrine therapy with tamoxifen.

Costantino [20]

2002

Hormonal treatments in metastatic breast cancer patients

QOL data is useful for both clinicians and patients in evaluating treatment options and developing treatment strategies.

Fallowfield [21]

2004

Hormonal therapies

Tolerability profiles of available treatment options are highlighted.

Sammarco [22]

2004

QOL of older breast cancer patients

Outpatient and long-term care should become a key setting for implementation of QOL interventions for women with breast cancer.

Knobf [23]

2006

Endocrine effects of adjuvant therapy in younger survivors

Causes premature menopause that is associated with poorer QOL, decreased sexual functioning, menopausal symptom distress, psychosocial distress related to infertility, and infertility.

Kayl and Meyers [24]

2006

Side effects of chemotherapy

QOL issues may help to guide patient-care decision.

Diel [25]

2007

Effectiveness of bisphosphonates on bone pain and quality of life in breast cancer patients with metastatic bone disease

Clinical trial data demonstrate that bisphosphonates offer significant and sustained relief from bone pain and can also improve quality of life in patients with metastatic breast cancer. New treatment schedules using high dose bisphosphonates can offer rapid relief of acute, and severe bone pain.

Rozenberg et al. [26]

2007

Co-morbid conditions and breast cancer

Women with breast cancer and three or more co-morbid conditions have a 20-fold higher rate of mortality from causes other than breast cancer and a 4-fold higher rate of all-cause mortality when compared with patients who have none.