Funcionalidade de membro superior e qualidade de vida de mulheres com câncer de mama submetidas a tratamento fisioterapêutico - fisioterapia em oncologia mamária

Abstract

Breast cancer is a serious public health problem and a major cause of female death in Brazil. The diagnosis is based on clinical breast examination, imaging and laboratory, and treatment can be surgical and/ or conservative. The .possible complications are lymphedema and reduced upper extremity range of motion, particularly in flexion and abduction of the shoulder, reflecting negatively on the quality of life. To verify the impact of the application of a physical therapy protocol on functionality and quality of life of women with breast cancer. Materials and Methods: An experimental (before and after) study design was used with a protocol composed of 10 sessions of scar mobilization, stretching, active-free exercises in all planes of motion in women aged between 40 and 65 years old subjected to surgery and adjuvant therapy. They were evaluated for range of motion (ROM), presence or absence of lymphedema and the quality of life. The sample consisted of 4 participants, mean age 54 ± 11.5 who were subjected to modified radical mastectomy and to quadrantectomy associated or not to axillary lymphadenectomy. Initially, deficits were detected in all of the ipsilateral shoulder’s movement planes, noticing lesser degrees of amplitude in flexion, extension, abduction and external rotation. After the protocol, we observed improvement of WMD in all shoulder movements, especially in flexion and abduction. It was observed that a short physical therapy protocol promoted improvement in the level of shoulder’s WMD and had a positive impact on the quality of life.