Trial Information

Study of Psychological and Sociological Predisposing the Development of Chronic Pain After Surgery in Women With Resectable Breast Cancer

OBJECTIVES:

Primary

- Determine the psychological and sociological factors that predispose post-mastectomy
pain syndrome after surgery in women with resectable breast cancer.

Secondary

- Determine the psychological and sociological factors that predispose post-surgical pain
in these patients.

- Evaluate emotional distress over time in these patients.

- Evaluate the acute and chronic pain over time in these patients.

OUTLINE: This is a multicenter study.

Patients complete multiple questionnaires, including Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale
(HAD), Maudsley Personality Inventory (MPI), PCS, and QLQ-C30, to evaluate psychological
variables (alexithymia, neurosis, repression of negative emotions, solicitude,
dramatization, emotional distress) and quality of life.

Post-mastectomy chronic pain (PMCP) syndrome is measured immediately after surgery and at 24
hours, day 6, and 5 months post-surgery.

A subgroup of patients (20 with PMCP and 20 without PMCP) are followed at months 5 and 6
months post-surgery for medication use, pathological problems, morbid events, family
history, and environmental factors.

PROJECTED ACCRUAL: A total of 150 patients will be accrued for this study.