Trends in risk reduction practices for the prevention of lymphedema in the first 12 months after breast cancer surgery

Sarah A. McLaughlin, Sanjay Bagaria, Tammeza Gibson, Michelle Arnold, Nancy Diehl, Julia Crook, Alexander Parker, Justin Nguyen

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

66 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background: Lymphedema is a feared complication of breast cancer surgery. We evaluated the trends in lymphedema development, patient worry, and risk reduction behaviors. Study Design: We prospectively enrolled 120 women undergoing sentinel node biopsy (SLNB) or axillary node dissection (ALND) for breast cancer and assessed lymphedema by upper extremity volume preoperatively and at 6 and 12 months postoperatively. We defined lymphedema as a >10% volume change from baseline relative to the contralateral upper extremity. Patients completed a validated instrument evaluating lymphedema worry and risk reducing behaviors. Associations were determined by Fisher's exact and signed rank tests. Results: At 6 months, lymphedema was similar between ALND and SLNB patients (p = 0.22), but was higher in ALND women at 12 months (19% vs 3%, p = 0.005). A clear relationship exists between relative change in upper extremity volume at 6 and 12 months (Kendall tau coefficient 0.504, p < 0.001). Among the women with 0 to 9% volume change at 6 months, 22% had progressive swelling, and 18% resolved their volume changes at 12 months. Overall, 75% of ALND and 50% of SLNB patients had persistent worry about lymphedema at follow-up, and no difference existed in the number of risk reducing behaviors practiced among the 2 groups (p > 0.34). Conclusions: Upper extremity volumes fluctuate, and there is a period of latency before development of lymphedema. Despite the low risk of lymphedema after SLNB, most women worry about lymphedema and practice risk reducing behaviors. Additional study into early upper extremity volume changes is warranted to allay the fears of most women and better predict which women will progress to lymphedema.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)380-389
Number of pages10
JournalJournal of the American College of Surgeons
Volume216
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Mar 2013

Keywords

  • ALND
  • BMI
  • SLNB
  • axillary node dissection
  • body mass index
  • sentinel lymph node biopsy

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Medicine

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