Publications by authors named "J M Merkus"

Article Synopsis
  • The study evaluated cosmetic outcomes in early stage breast cancer patients using either intraoperative electron radiotherapy (IOERT) or photon external beam radiotherapy (EB-APBI) after breast-conserving surgery over a 5-year follow-up period.
  • A total of 405 patients (241 treated with IOERT and 164 with EB-APBI) showed that both treatments resulted in high satisfaction rates among patients and physicians, with no significant differences in cosmetic outcomes over time.
  • The conclusion indicates that both IOERT and EB-APBI provide comparable and satisfactory cosmetic results for early stage breast cancer patients, with similar ratings from both subjective and objective assessments.
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Background: There is a lack of information on mental health outcomes for the increasing older population. Therefore, the aim of the current study is to assess depressive symptoms, loneliness, and apathy in older patients with breast cancer within the first 5 years after diagnosis.

Methods: Women aged ≥70 years with early-stage breast cancer were included.

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Background: A decline in physical activity and the ability to perform activities of daily living (ADL) and instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) could interfere with independent living and quality of life in older patients, but may be prevented with tailored interventions. The aim of the current study was to assess changes in physical activity and ADL/IADL in the first 5 years after breast cancer diagnosis in a real-world cohort of older patients and to identify factors associated with physical decline.

Methods: Patients aged ≥70 years with in situ or stages I-III breast cancer were included in the prospective Climb Every Mountain cohort study.

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Introduction: Studies investigating the long-term effects of breast cancer treatment on cognition in older women with breast cancer are lacking, even though preserving cognition is highly valued by the older population. Specifically, concerns have been raised regarding the detrimental effects of endocrine therapy (ET) on cognition. Therefore, we investigated cognitive functioning over time and predictors for cognitive decline in older women treated for early breast cancer.

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Purpose: The European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer 10981-22023 AMAROS trial evaluated axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) versus axillary radiotherapy (ART) in patients with cT1-2, node-negative breast cancer and a positive sentinel node (SN) biopsy. At 5 years, both modalities showed excellent and comparable axillary control, with significantly less morbidity after ART. We now report the preplanned 10-year analysis of the axillary recurrence rate (ARR), overall survival (OS), and disease-free survival (DFS), and an updated 5-year analysis of morbidity and quality of life.

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