One hundred seventy-four women were examined. The mean age was 58 years. The incidence of pain syndrome was 52%. Younger women (<40 years) and those who were submitted to axillary lymph node dissection (with more than 15 lymph nodes excised) have shown a significantly increased risk of pain syndrome after surgery for breast cancer (relative risk (RR) =5.23 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.11-24.64) and (RR=2.01 95% CI: 1.08-3.75).

The objective of the study is to estimate the incidence and risk factors of axillary web syndrome (AWS) in early postoperative period (45 days). From the prospective cohort of women undergoing breast cancer surgery, we collected the variables related to patient characteristics, treatment, tumor, and postoperative complications. We performed bivariate and logistic regression. A total of 193 patients are included with a mean age of 58.26 years, majority of which are women who are overweight or obese (72.3%). The incidence of AWS was 28.1%. The presence of pain in the ipsilateral upper-limb associated with AWS was reported in 5.4% of the patients, and the shoulder joint restriction was observed in 11.4%. When controlling for confounding between AWS and the factors that showed statistical significance in bivariate analysis, the variables that explain the occurrence of the AWS were the type of axillary surgery, where women who underwent sentinel lymph node biopsy showed 68% less risk compared with those that underwent axillary lymphadenectomy (AL) (RR = 0.32; 95% CI, 0.13-0.79; P value = 0.014) and numbness in the arm after an injury of the intercostobrachial nerve, which is 3.19 times the risk of the AWS (RR = 3.19; 95% CI, 1.40-7.29, P value = 0.006). From the above findings, we concluded that the incidence of AWS was 28.1%, and it was associated with AL and numbness in the arm after injury of the intercostobrachial nerve.

Frequência e fatores associados à síndrome da mama fantasma em mulheres submetidas à mastectomia por câncer de mama (015/08). Foi realizada análise descritiva por meio da frequência absoluta e relativa. Para avaliar a associação entre a SMF e os potenciais fatores de risco, foi realizada análise univariada, por meio de odds ratios (OR) com os respectivos intervalos com 95% de confiança (IC95%). RESULTADOS: Foram incluídas 88 pacientes. A frequência da SMF observada aos 45 dias (primeiro seguimento) foi de 44,3 e 18,2% aos 2 anos (último seguimento). A maioria das mulheres apresentou relato de sensação na mama fantasma em todos os seguimentos (37,1; 30,1 e 22%). No seguimento de 6 meses, mulheres com idade inferior a 60 anos apresentaram um risco 3,9 vezes maior de apresentar síndrome da mama fantasma (OR=3,9; IC95% 1,4-10,5) e aquelas com maior escolaridade (8 anos ou mais de estudo) apresentaram maior risco de desenvolver SMF (OR=2,6; I 95% 1,01-6,8). CONCLUSÃO: A população estudada apresentou alta frequência de SMF, com diminuição ao longo do seguimento pós-operatório. Sua ocorrência no seguimento de seis meses foi maior entre as mulheres mais jovens e com maior escolaridade. Abstract PURPOSE:To evaluate the frequency and risk factors for the development of phantom breast syndrome in patients submitted to mastectomy after breast cancer treatment. METHODS: A cohort study of women undergoing treatment at the Hospital of Cancer III, National Cancer Institute José Alencar Gomes da Silva (INCA) from September 2008 to June 2009. PBS was considered based on report of phantom breast sensation and/or phantom breast pain. The study was approved by the Research Ethics Committee of the INCA (015/08). Descriptive analysis using absolute and relative frequency was performed. To evaluate the association between PBS and potential risk factors, univariate analysis was performed by means of odds ratios (OR) with respective 95% confidence intervals (95%CI). RESULTS: A total of 88 patients were included. The frequency of PBS observed was 44.3 at 45 days (first follow-up) and 18.2% at 2 years (last follow-up). Most women reported phantom breast syndrome in all segments (37.1; 30.1 and 22%). During the six month follow-up, women under the age of 60 years had a 3.93 times higher risk of PBS (OR=3.9; 95%CI 1.4-10.5) and those with higher education (8 years or more of study) had a higher risk of developing PBS (OR=2.6; 95%CI 1.01-6.8). CONCLUSION: The study population had a high frequency of PBS, which decreased over postoperative follow-up. Its occurrence after six months was higher among younger and more educated women.

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