Musculoskeletal, cardiorespiratory, anthropometric and sensorial changes following breast cancer surgery

Abstract

Introduction: Breast cancer is the second most common malignant neoplasm in women. Surgical intervention is one of the recommended treatments, which can lead to significant physical and sensorial sequelae. Objective: To analyze the musculoskeletal, cardiorespiratory, anthropometric and sensorial functions of women who underwent breast cancer surgery. Methods: An observational, cross-sectional study with women who underwent surgical resection of breast tumors at Amaral Carvalho, a reference hospital in the countryside of the São Paulo State, Jaú/SP, Brazil. Three assessments were obtained: pre-surgery (Ass1), one day after the surgery (Ass2) and 15 days after surgery (Ass3). Sociodemographic and gynecological data were collected, and anthropometric, cardiovascular, dermal sensitivity, range of motion (ROM) of the upper limbs, peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO2), inspiratory muscle strength (PImax), peak expiratory flow (PEF) and thoraco-abdominal mobility assessments were performed. Data were evaluated by repeated measures ANOVA and Wilcoxon statistical test with a Bonferroni correction
(p < 0.05). Results: Eighteen women, with a mean age of 57.44 ± 9.35 years, mainly with the left side affected (61.1%) and lymphadenectomy performed in 50% of the cases. Differences were found in systolic and diastolic blood pressure, PEF and SpO2, axillary ROM index (Ass1>Ass2), PImax (Ass3>Ass2), perimetry (Ass2>Ass3), ROM in all axes of shoulder motion and wrist flexion (Ass2<Ass1), and sensitivity alteration close to the surgical wound (Ass3>Ass2 and Ass1). Conclusion: The surgery for breast cancer excision resulted in hemodynamic and respiratory changes, especially on the first day after the procedure, returning to baseline values approximately 15 days later.