Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42345555›Full record

SynthesisThe breast journal2026

Long-Term Side Effects of Breast Cancer Treatments: A Systematic Review.

Ebrahim Babaee, Mahdi Soheyli, Nahid Nafissi

Abstract readSystematic Review
In one paragraph

Synthesis in The breast journal, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed, 1 pooled it
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.

  1. Pooled it
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

3 authors.

Ebrahim BabaeePreventive Medicine and Public Health Research Center, Psychosocial Health Research Institute, Community and Family Medicine Department, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran, iums.ac.ir.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7969-9122
Mahdi SoheyliPreventive Medicine and Public Health Research Center, Psychosocial Health Research Institute, Community and Family Medicine Department, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran, iums.ac.ir.ORCID https://orcid.org/0009-0002-6543-5075
Nahid NafissiBreast Health & Cancer Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences (IUMS), Tehran, Iran, iums.ac.ir.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7454-9985

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundBreast cancer treatments, including chemotherapy, radiotherapy, endocrine therapy, targeted therapy, and surgical interventions, have significantly improved survival rates. However, these treatments are associated with long-term side effects that can impact the quality of life of survivors. Understanding these adverse effects is crucial for optimizing survivorship care.

methodsThis systematic review was conducted following PRISMA guidelines to assess the long-term side effects of breast cancer treatments. A comprehensive literature search was performed for studies published between 2005 and 2024. Studies examining long-term (≥ 12 months posttreatment) adverse effects in breast cancer survivors were included, with data extraction and risk of bias assessments conducted by independent reviewers.

resultsThe review identified a broad spectrum of long-term side effects, including cardiovascular complications, cognitive impairment, persistent fatigue, lymphedema, menopausal symptoms, and psychological distress. Chemotherapy was frequently associated with peripheral neuropathy and cognitive decline, while radiotherapy increased the risk of fibrosis, secondary malignancies, and ischemic heart disease. Endocrine therapy contributed to osteoporosis, joint pain, and metabolic disturbances, whereas HER2-targeted therapies were linked to cardiotoxicity. In addition, surgical interventions, particularly axillary lymph node dissection, were a primary cause of lymphedema. Psychological distress, including anxiety, depression, and posttraumatic stress disorder, was also prevalent among survivors.

conclusionThe long-term side effects of breast cancer treatments highlight the need for comprehensive survivorship care, including routine monitoring, personalized rehabilitation programs, lifestyle modifications, and psychosocial support. Future research should focus on identifying risk factors, developing targeted interventions, and optimizing treatment strategies to minimize adverse effects and improve the quality of life for breast cancer survivors.

Indexed as

Breast NeoplasmsCancer SurvivorsLong Term Adverse EffectsAntineoplastic AgentsFemaleHumansQuality of LifeAntineoplastic Agentsbreast cancerchemotherapyendocrine therapylong-term side effectsquality of liferadiotherapysurvivorship

Identifiers

PMID42345555
PMCPMC13296226

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY
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Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.