The effect of postoperative complications on survival and recurrence after surgery for breast cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Savioli, F., Edwards, J. , McMillan, D. , Stallard, S., Doughty, J. and Romics, L. (2020) The effect of postoperative complications on survival and recurrence after surgery for breast cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Critical Reviews in Oncology/Hematology, 155, 103075. (doi: 10.1016/j.critrevonc.2020.103075) (PMID:32987333)

Abstract

Background: This systematic review investigated the impact of complications on long term outcomes for patients with primary invasive operable breast cancer. Methods: A systematic review was performed using appropriate keywords, and meta-analysis using a random effects model completed. Results: Ten retrospective cohort studies, including 37657 patients were included. Five studies identified a relationship between wound complications, infection and pyrexia and recurrence or recurrence-free survival. Risk of recurrence, 1-year and 5-year recurrence-free survival and overall survival were related to complications, particularly for patients with poor Nottingham Prognostic Index. Five studies failed to demonstrate a relationship between complications and prognosis. Complication was found to significantly affect 5-year recurrence-free survival (HR 1.48 95% CI 1.02-2.14, p = 0.04) but not recurrence (HR 2.39, 95%CI 0.94-6.07, p = 0.07), with a high degree of heterogeneity among analysed studies (I2 = 95%). Discussion: Further research is needed to quantify the effects of postoperative complication on prognosis following surgery for breast cancer.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: McMillan, Professor Donald and Romics, Mr Laszlo and Savioli, Ms Francesca and Edwards, Professor Joanne and Doughty, Miss Julie
• Authors: Savioli, F., Edwards, J., McMillan, D., Stallard, S., Doughty, J., and Romics, L.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Cancer Sciences; College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Medicine, Dentistry & Nursing
• Journal Name: Critical Reviews in Oncology/Hematology
• Publisher: Elsevier
• ISSN: 1040-8428
• ISSN (Online): 1879-0461
• Published Online: 18 August 2020
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2020 Elsevier B.V.
• First Published: First published in Critical Reviews in Oncology/Hematology 155: 103075
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced in accordance with the publisher copyright policy