Age-stratified difference in patient-reported health-related quality of life following breast cancer surgery.

Surgical modality determined postoperative breast satisfaction, with total mastectomy no reconstruction associated with worse breast-specific outcomes compared with breast-conserving surgery across age categories.

Psychosocial and symptom-related outcomes instead varied significantly by age, with older patients reporting higher well-being and lower symptom burden.

These findings support age-informed surgical counseling and targeted supportive care strategies.