scholarly journals Risk factors and management of breast cancer-related lymphedema

2015 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 38 ◽  
Author(s):  
Awad Alawad ◽  
Ayat Omer Ibrahim
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Clinical Presentation ◽  
Breast Cancer Therapy ◽  
Arm Pain ◽  
Arm Swelling ◽  
Arm Lymphedema ◽  
Breast Cancer Related Lymphedema ◽  
Undergo Breast Reconstruction ◽  
Morbid Conditions

<p><strong>Background:</strong> Lymphedema is a highly prevalent condition in women who have undergone treatment for breast cancer. Lymphedema negatively affects the quality of life.</p><p><strong>Objective:</strong> The aim of this study was to identify the clinical presentation of lymphedema associated factors in women treated for breast cancer.</p><p><strong>Methods:</strong>The study is an interventional prospective study. It was accomplished in the period from May 2013 to April 2014. Patients having breast cancer ipsilateral arm lymphedema were selected for the study.</p><p><strong>Results:</strong> A total of 34 patients were included in the study.73.5% of patients have a body mass index (BMI) of 25 or more at diagnosis. 70.6% of the patients underwent axillary clearance. All the patients did not undergo breast reconstruction. 52.4% had &lt;10 lymph nodes removed from their axillae. 47% received radiotherapy. All patients presented with arm swelling, additionally, 70.6 % presented with arm heaviness 26.5% presented with arm pain. Elevation was effective in 90.5% of the compliant patients, while exercise was effective in 84.2% of the compliant patients.</p><p><strong>Conclusion:</strong> Breast cancer- related lymphedema continues to be a significant problem following breast cancer therapy. Presence of co-morbid conditions axillary radiation significantly increases the risk of lymphedema. A combination of axillary dissection axillary radiation should be avoided whenever feasible to avoid lymphedema.</p>

scholarly journals Breast Cancer-Related Lymphedema: Recent Updates on Diagnosis, Severity and Available Treatments

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 402
Author(s):  
Marco Pappalardo ◽  
Marta Starnoni ◽  
Gianluca Franceschini ◽  
Alessio Baccarani ◽  
Giorgio De Santis
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Patient Education ◽  
Breast Cancer Survivors ◽  
Clinical Presentation ◽  
Imaging Techniques ◽  
Life Quality ◽  
Medical Community ◽  
Proper Treatment ◽  
Breast Cancer Related Lymphedema

Breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL) represents a global healthcare issue affecting the emotional and life quality of breast cancer survivors significantly. The clinical presentation is characterized by swelling of the affected upper limb, that may be accompanied by atrophic skin findings, pain and recurrent cellulitis. Cardinal principles of lymphedema management are the use of complex decongestive therapy and patient education. Recently, new microsurgery procedures have been reported with interesting results, bringing in a new opportunity to care postmastectomy lymphedema. However, many aspects of the disease are still debated in the medical community, including clinical examination, imaging techniques, patient selection and proper treatment. Here we will review these aspects and the current literature.

scholarly journals Self-reported symptoms of arm lymphedema and health-related quality of life among female breast cancer survivors

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kayo Togawa ◽  
Huiyan Ma ◽  
Ashley Wilder Smith ◽  
Marian L. Neuhouser ◽  
Stephanie M. George ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Physical Health ◽  
Analysis Of Covariance ◽  
Health Related Quality ◽  
Burning Pain ◽  
Related Quality ◽  
Health Related ◽  
Arm Lymphedema

AbstractWe examined cross-sectional associations between arm lymphedema symptoms and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in the Health, Eating, Activity and Lifestyle (HEAL) Study. 499 women diagnosed with localized or regional breast cancer at ages 35–64 years completed a survey, on average 40 months after diagnosis, querying presence of lymphedema, nine lymphedema-related symptoms, e.g., tension, burning pain, mobility loss, and warmth/redness, and HRQoL. Analysis of covariance models were used to assess HRQoL scores in relation to presence of lymphedema and lymphedema-related symptoms. Lymphedema was self-reported by 137 women, of whom 98 were experiencing lymphedema at the time of the assessment. The most common symptoms were heaviness (52%), numbness (47%), and tightness (45%). Perceived physical health was worse for women reporting past or current lymphedema than those reporting no lymphedema (P-value < 0.0001). No difference was observed for perceived mental health (P-value = 0.31). Perceived physical health, stress, and lymphedema-specific HRQoL scores worsened as number of symptoms increased (P-values ≤ 0.01). Women reporting tension in the arm had lower physical health (P-value = 0.01), and those experiencing burning pain, tension, heaviness, or warmth/redness in the arm had lower lymphedema-specific HRQoL (P-values < 0.05). Treatment targeting specific lymphedema-related symptoms in addition to size/volume reduction may improve some aspects of HRQoL among affected women.

scholarly journals The relation between the severity of breast cancer-related lymphedema and quality-of-life

2016 ◽  
Vol 27 ◽  
pp. vi517
Author(s):  
M.A. Abou-Elenein ◽  
W.S. Makar ◽  
H.M. Abdel-Azim ◽  
S.A. Alsirafy
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Breast Cancer Related Lymphedema

scholarly journals Effect of different modalities of treatment on the quality of life of breast cancer patients in Egypt

1997 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 68-81
Author(s):  
Fatma M. El Sharkawi ◽  
Mahmoud F. Sakr ◽  
Hoda Y. Atta ◽  
Hafez M. Ghanem
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Cancer Therapy ◽  
Adjuvant Therapy ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Breast Cancer Patients ◽  
Breast Cancer Therapy ◽  
Egyptian Women ◽  
The Impact

The impact of breast cancer therapy on the quality of life [QL] of Egyptian women was studied. Patients were divided into four groups:1:mastectomy alone;2:surgery plus radiotherapy;3:surgery plus chemotherapy;and 4:triple modality. The results revealed that all the four domains of QL of women having adjuvant therapy [groups 2, 3, or 4] were significantly altered compared to those who underwent mastectomy alone. Triple modality adversely affected global QL the most compared to radiotherapy or chemotherapy;radiotherapy had significantly less effect on QL compared to chemotherapy. Triple modality predicted the worst QL. QL measures should be incorporated with the traditional end points for evaluation of treatment and patients given health education on the effects of each therapy

Breast cancer-related lymphedema and quality of life: A qualitative analysis over years of survivorship

2019 ◽  
pp. 174239531987279
Author(s):  
Allison B Anbari ◽  
Ausanee Wanchai ◽  
Jane M Armer
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Healthcare Providers ◽  
Breast Cancer Diagnosis ◽  
Data Saturation ◽  
Breast Cancer Related Lymphedema ◽  
Reported Data ◽  
The Impact

Objectives The study purpose was to examine perspectives of women with newly diagnosed breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL) regarding their quality of life over seven years. Method Data were collected over seven years using the Lymphedema and Breast Cancer Questionnaire (LBCQ). Participants with BCRL answered open-ended questions corresponding to changes in mood and lifestyle from post-op through annual interviews and surveys. Self-reported data from 97 participants with BCRL were analyzed using in vivo coding and template-style content analysis to elicit the impact of BCRL on quality of life domains. Results Data saturation was achieved as participants neared 30 to 36 months post- breast cancer diagnosis. Three major themes were identified related to BCRL’s impact on: physical function; daily living and social function; and psychological function. Discussion Findings suggest that BCRL impacts quality of life not only soon after diagnosis, but also throughout survivorship years. Healthcare providers should develop programs to enhance quality of life for survivors with BCRL.

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