Objectives: Evaluate the different quality of life parameters in treated breast cancer patients.
Type of study: Retrospective analysis from 1977 to 1987.
Study site: Bichat, Lariboisière and Tenon Hospitals.
Patients: 239 operated patients, with or without irradiation following or before chemotherapy, with or without hormonotherapy. Patients were divided into 4 groups according to age. STUDY PARAMETERS: Essentially, gynaecologic consequences of treatments (flush, menstrual cycles, fertility, vaginal dryness, breast reconstruction), effect of tamoxifen on genital organs and osteopenia.
Main results: Tamoxifen acts as an oestrogen both on genital organs and bones.
Conclusion: The impact of substitutive hormone therapy on quality of life should be evaluated in randomized studies.