Decision regret in breast cancer patients after adjuvant radiotherapy

The relationship between decision regret, quality of life, and mindfulness in early-stage breast cancer survivors

PURPOSE

The shared decision-making empowers breast cancer patients' autonomy in joining treatment decision. However, unexpected side effects or unsatisfactory outcomes can lead to decision regret. This study examines decision regret levels and its relationship with quality of life, and the impact of mindfulness awareness and self-compassion on this relationship among early-stage breast cancer patients in post-treatment survivorship.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted from March 2021 to March 2022. The early-stage breast cancer patients who completed treatments within the past 36 months were recruited from a medical center and a regional hospital. Participants completed the Decision Regret Scale, Mindful Awareness Attention Scale, Self-Compassion Scale, and the EORTC QLQ-C30 and QLQ-BR45.

RESULTS

Among the 138 participants, 17.39 % reported no regret, 55.80 % expressed mild regret, and 26.81 % reported moderate to strong regret. Decision regret differed significantly based on the congruence between patients' preferred and actual decision-making roles. Multiple regression analysis showed that, after controlling for covariates, lower decision regret levels were associated with higher EORTC QLQ-C30 and QLQ-BR45 function scores. Mindfulness awareness significantly mediated the relationship between decision regret and QOL, while self-compassion was not identified as a mediator.

CONCLUSION

Most breast cancer survivors experienced mild or moderate decision regret. Decision regret influences survivors' general and breast specific functions. Mindfulness awareness could reduce the impact of decision regret on QOL. The mindfulness-based interventions could cultivate breast cancer patients living at the present moment experiences to reduce their negative rumination about the past treatment decision and enhance their QOL.

Treatment decision regret after precision prostatectomy: An analysis of patient-reported outcomes predicting decision regret

Objectives

This study aimed to assess postoperative decision regret (DR) after precision prostatectomy (PP), a novel subtotal surgical technique for prostate cancer (PCa) that involves the preservation of the unilateral capsule and seminal vesicle, and to identify factors predictive of DR after PP.

Materials and Methods

After a shared decision-making process, 128 patients underwent PP for the treatment of localised PCa. Given the subtotal nature of the surgery, patients were informed about the possibility of a detectable prostate-specific antigen and secondary treatment. Between 6 and 12 months of follow-up, DR was analysed using the previously validated decision regret score (DRS). A univariable linear regression analysis was performed to analyse factors predictive of DR after PP.

Results

Between 6 and 12 months after PP, objective measurements of DR were obtained on 64 patients who completed the DRS. At the time of DRS, 16 patients were impotent (SHIM < 17), while six were incontinent (≥1 pad/day). The median time to DRS was 10 months (IQR 7.5-11.8). Only two patients (3.1%) reported significant DR after PP (DRS > 25), while 53 patients (83%) reported no regret (DRS = 0). The median DRS was 0 (0-0). Incontinence and impotence at the time of DRS predicted higher DR after PP (incontinence estimate: 11.3 ± 3.2, p < 0.001; impotence estimate: 5.4 ± 2.3, p = 0.02).

Conclusions

The incidence of DR after PP is low, with only 3% of patients reporting significant regret. Patients who are either incontinent or impotent after PP are more likely to regret their decision. Further studies with larger sizes and longer follow-ups are required to measure the longitudinal trends in DR after PP.

Decision regret of cancer patients after radiotherapy: results from a cross-sectional observational study at a large tertiary cancer center in Germany

PURPOSE

The decision-making process regarding cancer treatment is emotionally challenging for patients and families, harboring the risk of decision regret. We aimed to explore prevalence and determinants of decision regret following radiotherapy.

METHODS

This cross-sectional observational study was conducted at a tertiary cancer center to assess decision regret following radiotherapy. The study employed the German version of the Ottawa Decision Regret Scale (DRS) which was validated in the study population. Decision regret was categorized as absent (0 points), mild (1-25 points), and strong (> 25 points). Various psychosocial outcome measures were collected using validated questionnaires to identify factors that may be associated with decision regret.

RESULTS

Out of 320 eligible patients, 212 participated, with 207 completing the DRS. Median age at start of radiotherapy was 64 years [interquartile range (IQR), 56-72], genders were balanced (105 female, 102 male), and the most common cancer types were breast (n = 84; 41%), prostate (n = 57; 28%), and head-and-neck cancer (n = 19; 9%). Radiotherapy was applied with curative intention in 188 patients (91%). Median time between last radiotherapy fraction and questionnaire completion was 23 months (IQR, 1-38). DRS comprehensibility was rated as good or very good by 98% (196 of 201) of patients. Decision regret was reported by 43% (n = 90) as absent, 38% (n = 78) as mild, and 18% (n = 38) as strong. In the multiple regression analysis, poor Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status, low social support, and dissatisfaction with care were independent risk factors for higher decision regret after radiotherapy.

CONCLUSIONS

The German version of the DRS could be used to assess decision regret in a diverse cohort of cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy. Decision regret was prevalent in a considerable proportion of patients. Further studies are necessary to validate these findings and obtain causal factors associated with decision regret after radiotherapy.

Impact of Adjuvant Radiotherapy on Free Flap Volume in Autologous Breast Reconstruction: A Scoping Review

In autologous breast reconstruction, a sufficient flap volume is fundamental to restore breast shape and ensure an aesthetic outcome. After mastectomy, postoperative irradiation is regularly indicated in the oncological treatment algorithm. When administering radiation therapy after autologous reconstruction, the tissue transferred is inherently irradiated. Although there is evidence that points to a reduction in flap volume after adjuvant radiotherapy, the data have been contradicting and inconclusive. To address this anecdotal evidence, we performed a scoping review of the current literature that addresses the effect of radiotherapy on breast flap volume. Six two-armed studies, comprising a total of 462 patients, reported on the effect of adjuvant radiotherapy on free flap volume changes. Of those, two studies found a significant negative impact of radiotherapy on free flap volume, while the other four studies did not. Reported flap volume changes ranged from no change to a reduction of 26.2%, measured up to two years postoperatively. The selected studies contain varying patient numbers, follow-up timepoints, types of flaps, and measuring methods, contributing to a relatively high heterogeneity. While we present some evidence suggesting a significant impact of adjuvant radiotherapy on breast flap volume, future studies are needed to further investigate this potential correlation.