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Original Research | Surgery | Volume 15 Issue 7, July 2026 | Pages: 1736 - 1744 | India
Early Physical Quality of Life Following Breast-Conserving Surgery Versus Modified Radical Mastectomy in Early and Large Operable Breast Cancer: A Prospective Comparative Study
Abstract: Background: Breast-conserving surgery (BCS) has emerged as the preferred surgical approach for appropriately selected women with early breast cancer because it provides oncological outcomes comparable to modified radical mastectomy (MRM) while preserving the breast. Although long-term oncological equivalence has been well established, evidence regarding early postoperative physical quality of life in Indian women remains limited. This study compared early postoperative physical quality of life, perioperative outcomes, postoperative morbidity, and patient-reported satisfaction following BCS and MRM in women with early and large operable breast carcinoma. Methods: A prospective comparative observational study was conducted in the Department of General Surgery, Ganesh Shankar Vidyarthi Memorial Medical College and Lala Lajpat Rai Hospital, Kanpur, India, between October 2024 and October 2025, with follow-up completed in January 2026. A total of 140 women with early and large operable breast carcinoma underwent either breast-conserving surgery (n = 70) or modified radical mastectomy (n = 70) according to standard oncological indications. Physical quality of life was assessed using the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire-Core 30 (EORTC QLQ-C30) and the EORTC Breast Cancer Module (QLQ-BR42) at one and three months after surgery. Secondary outcomes included postoperative pain, duration of hospital stay, postoperative complications, cosmetic satisfaction, and confidence in performing daily activities. Between-group comparisons were performed using appropriate parametric or non-parametric statistical tests according to data distribution, and multivariable linear regression was used to identify independent predictors of functional recovery. Results: The two groups were comparable with respect to baseline age (47.91 ± 9.71 vs. 47.96 ± 10.45 years; p = 0.947). Compared with MRM, patients undergoing BCS had a significantly shorter hospital stay (3.46 ± 1.05 vs. 6.99 ± 3.87 days; p < 0.001) and lower postoperative pain scores (3.39 ± 1.07 vs. 6.57 ± 1.11; p < 0.001). Functional quality-of-life scores were significantly higher after BCS at both one month (78.00 ± 7.57 vs. 59.11 ± 9.93; p < 0.001) and three months (86.11 ± 8.20 vs. 70.04 ± 8.43; p < 0.001), while symptom scores were significantly lower at both follow-up assessments (all p < 0.001). Cosmetic satisfaction was significantly greater following BCS (100% vs. 61.4%; p < 0.001). Both groups demonstrated significant improvements in functional recovery and symptom burden between one and three months; however, BCS remained an independent predictor of superior functional recovery in multivariable analysis. No significant between-group differences were observed in global quality-of-life scores. Conclusions: Breast-conserving surgery was associated with superior early functional recovery, lower postoperative symptom burden, reduced postoperative pain, shorter hospitalization, and greater cosmetic satisfaction compared with modified radical mastectomy. Although overall global quality-of-life scores were comparable during the early postoperative period, breast-conserving surgery independently predicted improved functional recovery after adjustment for relevant clinical variables. These findings support the integration of patient-reported quality-of-life outcomes into surgical decision-making for women with early and large operable breast cancer. Further multicenter studies with longer follow-up are warranted to evaluate long-term functional and oncological outcomes.
Keywords: Breast-conserving surgery, Modified radical mastectomy, Breast cancer, Quality of life, EORTC QLQ-C30, EORTC QLQ-BR42, Patient-reported outcome measures, Prospective comparative study
How to Cite?: Dr. Shashank Khandelwal, Dr. Sanjay Kala, Dr. Ashish Kumar Chaudhary, Dr. Chayanika Kala, Dr. Jitendra Kumar Verma, Dr. Kush Pathak, "Early Physical Quality of Life Following Breast-Conserving Surgery Versus Modified Radical Mastectomy in Early and Large Operable Breast Cancer: A Prospective Comparative Study", Volume 15 Issue 7, July 2026, International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR), Pages: 1736-1744, https://www.ijsr.net/getabstract.php?paperid=SR26720221538, DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.21275/SR26720221538