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QUEST

Two phase III, randomised controlled, multicentre trials, conducted in parallel, to assess the impact of the type (Trial A) and timing (Trial B) of latissimus dorsi (LD) breast reconstruction on the quality of life (QoL) of women following mastectomy for early breast cancer.

Disease site: Breast cancer

Treatment modality: Surgery

Status: Closed

Trial details

Key issues in immediate breast reconstruction (IBR) were identified which led to a systematic review of all breast reconstructions with QoL as endpoints undertaken. The conclusion from this review was that there is a pressing need for further evidence in the form of well-designed multicentre studies or trials using specific QoL measures and adequate sample sizes. The rationale behind the QUEST trials it to provide breast reconstruction that will confer optimal health-related QoL benefit and patient satisfaction for women facing mastectomy.

Chief Investigator: Dr Zoë E Winters, University Hospitals Bristol NHS Foundation Trust

ICR-CTSU Scientific Lead: Professor Judith Bliss

Trial management contact: [email protected]

ISRCTN: Trial A: 38846532 Trial B: 92581226

Sponsor: University Hospitals Bristol NHS Foundation Trust

Funding: Cancer Research UK (CRUK/08/027), BUPA Foundation

Further information

View QUEST A and QUEST B on the National Institute for Health Research website: NIHR - Be Part Of Research

Patient friendly information on QUEST A and QUEST B is available at Cancer Research UK.

Publications and presentations

Mills J, Emson M, Bliss J, Winters Z. The development of a DVD to aid patients' understanding of surgical breast reconstruction clinical trials: QUEST A & B. Trials 2011;12(Suppl 1):#A85

Mills J, Emson M, Bliss J, Winters Z. The development of a DVD to aid patients' understanding of surgical breast reconstruction clinical trials: QUEST A & B. Eur. J. Surg. Oncol. 2010;36(11):1123

Winters Z, Emson M, Bliss J, Mills J. The development of a DVD to aid patients' understanding of surgical breast reconstruction clinical trials: QUEST A & B. NCRI National Cancer Conference; 2010; Liverpool.

Winters Z, Mills J, Kilburn LS, Horne R, Hitchins J, Bliss J. The QUEST Trial (CRUK/08/027): A multi-centre randomised trial to assess the impact of the type and timing of breast reconstruction on quality of life following mastectomy. Eur J Cancer Supplements 2010;8(3):142 #289

Winters Z, Mills J, Kilburn LS, Horne R, Hitchins J, Bliss J. The QUEST Trial (CRUK/08/027): A multi-centre randomised trial to assess the impact of the type and timing of breast reconstruction on quality of life following mastectomy. NCRI National Cancer Conference; 2009; Birmingham.

Potter S, Kilburn L, Bliss J, Winters ZE. The QUEST feasibility study: A novel clinicl trial to evaluate the impact of the type and timing of breast reconstruction on quality of life following mastectomy. Oncoplastic & Reconstructive Breast Surgery (ORBS) Conference; 2008 23-24th September; Nottingham.

Clinical trials

Division of Clinical Studies

The division carries out or coordinates high-quality trials and translational research at both an early phase – typically to test new targeted drugs – and a later stage.