Chest wall pain as a late effect following radiotherapy for breast cancer: A systematic review of prevalence and risk factors

Background

Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in women with approximately 60% receiving adjuvant radiotherapy. Despite advances minimising radiation dose to normal tissues, many women report post treatment pain affecting quality of life. Limited evidence on pain location, severity and risk factors for occurrence impacts clinical management. This systematic review identified studies reporting the prevalence of chest wall pain after breast cancer radiotherapy and explored associated risk factors.