Long-term complications of adjuvant chemotherapy for early stage breast cancer

Breast Dis. 2004:21:55-64. doi: 10.3233/bd-2004-21108.

Abstract

The benefits of adjuvant chemotherapy for early stage breast cancer must be considered in light of the potential risks and anticipated side effects. When considering a course of adjuvant chemotherapy for a patient, one should not only consider acute side effects of treatment, but should understand the long-term risks of therapy. Sustained or long-term effects of adjuvant chemotherapy usually have either a late onset or a sustained impact--often lasting for many years. In the case of some of the rare long-term complications, many years may elapse before any symptoms develop. This review details sustained and long-term complications of adjuvant chemotherapy including information about risk factors, etiology, and incidence rates for specific complications. Interventions to ameliorate long-term complications are also addressed.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal / adverse effects*
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal / therapeutic use
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / adverse effects*
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / therapeutic use
  • Breast Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Breast Neoplasms / mortality
  • Breast Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Breast Neoplasms / surgery
  • Cardiovascular Diseases / chemically induced
  • Cardiovascular Diseases / epidemiology
  • Chemotherapy, Adjuvant
  • Cognition Disorders / chemically induced
  • Cognition Disorders / epidemiology
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Drug Administration Schedule
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Mastectomy, Segmental / methods
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoplasm Staging
  • Peripheral Nervous System Diseases / chemically induced
  • Peripheral Nervous System Diseases / epidemiology
  • Prognosis
  • Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
  • Risk Assessment
  • Survival Analysis
  • Time Factors
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal