The goal of the present study was to further knowledge on gender and role (i.e. patient versus partner) differences in psychological distress and quality of life as a consequence of dealing with cancer. There is some evidence that being the patient or the caregiver makes more difference for men than for women. In total, 173 couples facing various forms of cancer (two samples) and a control group of 80 couples completed the CES‐D and Cantril's Ladder. Analyses of variance revealed that both female patients and female partners of patients perceived more psychological distress and a lower quality of life than women in healthy couples. In contrast, role did have an effect on men. Specifically, male patients scored as high on psychological distress and as low on quality of life as female patients and female partners, but psychological distress and quality of life did not differ between male partners of patients and their healthy controls. However, this effect was found in only one patient sample. The finding that female partners perceived more psychological distress and a lower quality of life than male partners could not be accounted for by differences in the physical condition of the patient or the partner.

B r e a s t T u m o rs: C o m p a ra tiv e A c c u ra c y o f MR Im a g in g R elativ e to M a m m o g ra p h y a n d US fo r D e m o n s tra tin g E x te n t1 A PURPOSE; To evaluate the compara tive accuracy of magnetic resonance (MR) imaging relative to mammogra phy and ultrasonography (US) for assessing the extent of breast tumors. MATERIALS A N D METHODS:His tologic results and preoperative im aging findings (mammography, US, MR imaging) were analyzed regard ing tumor size and multifocality of 61 tumors in 60 women undergoing mastectomy for carcinoma. RESULTS:In 10% of cases, the index tumor was not seen at mammogra phy. With US, 15% of the index tu mors were not recognized, while MR imaging missed 2% of the index tu mors. On mammographic and US images, tumor size was underesti mated significantly (P < .005), by 14% and 18%, respectively, while MR im aging showed no significant differ ence in size compared with that found in a pathologic evaluation. Mammography showed 31% of the additional invasive lesions, w hile US showed 38% and MR imaging showed 100%. CONCLUSION: MR imaging was the most accurate of the three preopera tive imaging modalities in assessing the size and number of malignant lesions in the breast.

This cross-sectional study assessed 3 ways of providing spousal support. Active engagement means involving the patient in discussions and using constructive problem-solving methods; protective buffering means hiding one's concerns; and overprotection refers to underestimation of the patient's capabilities, resulting in unnecessary help and excessive praise for accomplishments. Ratings of received spousal support by 68 patients with cancer revealed findings similar to those of partners' ratings of provided support. The positive association between active engagement and the patient's marital satisfaction was stronger for patients with a rather poor psychological and physical condition than for those with a rather good condition. Furthermore, protective buffering and overprotection were negatively associated with marital satisfaction only when patients experienced relatively high levels of psychological distress or physical limitations.

Background: Many patients suffer from severe shoulder complaints after breast cancer surgery and axillary lymph node dissection. Physiotherapy has been clinically observed to improve treatment of these patients. However, it is not a standard treatment regime. The purpose of this study is to investigate the efficacy of physiotherapy treatment of shoulder function, pain and quality of life in patients who have undergone breast cancer surgery and axillary lymph node dissection.

MRI was more accurate than mammography in annual breast cancer surveillance of women with a hereditary risk of breast cancer. Larger prospective studies to examine the role of MRI in screening programs are justified.