Resting brain functional imaging of breast cancer survivors with fear of cancer recurrence based on ReHo method

Objective To investigate the characteristics of resting brain function in breast cancer survivors with fear of cancer recurrence. Methods A total of 59 breast cancer survivors were recruited by voluntary enrollment from Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital, Army Medical University during May and July 2017, and were divided into the low fear of cancer recurrence group (n=28) and high fear group (n=31) according to the results of Fear of Cancer Recurrence Inventory (FCRI). Their resting brain functional images were collected, and the differences of mean brain regional homogeneity (ReHo) map were compared between the 2 groups so as to investigate the consistency of spontaneous neuron activities in the brain. Results Compared to the low fear group, the ReHo value was increased in the left caudate nucleus and was decreased in the right anterior cuneiform lobe in the high fear group (P < 0.01). The value in the left caudate nucleus was negatively correlated with the total score of FCR (r=-0.501, P < 0.05), and that in the right anterior cuneiform lobe was positively with the total score (r=0.505, P < 0.05). Conclusion Fear of cancer recurrence has significant effects on the consistency of spontaneous neuron activity in the left caudate nucleus and the right anterior cuneiform lobe in resting state, which may be related to the change of emotion and cognitive function of breast cancer survivors.