The effect of breast cancer surgery on spine alignment: Whole-spine radiograph analysis

Abstract

Breast cancer survivors may experience spinal deformity following breast cancer surgery. This study investigated the long-term effects of breast cancer surgery on whole-spine alignment. This retrospective study included 200 patients who underwent breast cancer surgery and ≥2 anteroposterior standing whole-spine X-rays. The curvature of the spine was measured using the Cobb angle; changes in Cobb angle between X-rays were compared among three groups according to breast cancer surgery type. The mean interval between initial and follow-up X-ray was 28.46 ± 13.39 months. The change in Cobb angle was 0.40 ± 1.65 degrees and the absolute value of that change was 1.25 ± 1.15 degrees in all patients with breast cancer. There were no significant differences in angular change among groups according to breast cancer surgery type. Most patients showed minimal changes in spinal alignment after breast cancer surgery. Our findings indicate that breast cancer surgery does not negatively affect spinal alignment.

Flexibility and Strength Effects of Adapted Nordic Walking and Myofascial Exercises Practice in Breast Cancer Survivors and Analysis of Differences

“…Taken all together, these results remind us of the plasticity of our body, compensating for the same stimulus in a different kinesiological way, according to the combinations of our own characteristics and external interventions. Indeed, the literature shows several possible postural compensations according to the combination of age, typology and time of treatment, previous pathologies, and psychological impact [48][49][50].…”