Postmastectomy Pain Syndrome: A Narrative Review

Cureus. 2023 Oct 20;15(10):e47384. doi: 10.7759/cureus.47384. eCollection 2023 Oct.

Abstract

Postmastectomy pain syndrome is a very common disorder in breast cancer survivors. The impact on the quality of patients' lives is significantly adverse. The precise pathophysiology has not been determined as yet though various risk factors have been identified that make the patient vulnerable. Required preoperative work includes the identification and possible elimination of risk factors. Treatment is multidisciplinary involving surgical and non-surgical modalities. There is a great scope of research in this field.

Keywords: antidepressants; gabapentinoids; intercostobrachial nerve; mastectomy; neuroma; neuromodulation; neuropathy; postmastectomy pain syndrome.

Publication types

  • Review