Investigation of the impact of radiotherapy on the shoulder joint by ultrasonography in breast cancer patients

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the impact of radiotherapy (RT) on supraspinatus, long head biceps and subscapularis tendons, shoulder subcutenous fat tissue. Methods: Patients diagnosed with breast cancer who received RT anterior chest wall axillary-supraclavicular region after breast-conserving surgery or mastectomy in our hospital. Overall, 56 (36 RT, 20 control group) patients were enrolled this study. Pre-RT, post-RT 6-week, 3-month, 6-month ultrasonographic clinical assessments performed. Results: The mean interval between was 5.6 (range: 2-8) months. Ten (27.7%) developed abnormalities during period. However, only 2 these had pain restricted range motion shoulder. thickness tendons similar dominant non-dominant sides group (5.7 mm vs. 5.1 mm, 2.87 2.89 4.13 3.97 mm; respectively, p > 0.05). Thirteen given ipsilateral side, 23 contralateral side. pre-RT supraspinatus tendon significantly higher than (p = 0.026). there no significant difference period 0.408). Conclusions: In undergoing adjuvant may cause temporary edema tendons. addition, joint can be present patients.