Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys. 2009 May 8

Bar Ad V, Cheville A, Solin LJ, Dutta P, Both S, Harris EE.
Departmentof Radiation Oncology, University of Pennsylvania,
Philadelphia, PA.

PURPOSE: Arm lymphedema is a potential consequence of the treatment
for breast carcinoma. The objective of this retrospective study was to
characterize the progression of mild arm lymphedema after breast
conservation treatment for breast cancer.

METHODS AND MATERIALS: The study cohort was drawn from 1,713
consecutive Stage I or II breast cancer patients who underwent breast
conservation therapy, including axillary staging followed by
radiation. Arm lymphedema was documented in 266 (16%) of 1,713
patients. One hundred nine patients, 6% of the overall group and 40%
of the patients with arm lymphedema, presented with mild arm
lymphedema, defined as a difference of 2 cm or less between the
measured circumferences of the affected and unaffected arms.

RESULTS: Among the 109 patients with mild arm lymphedema at the time
of arm lymphedema diagnosis, the rate of freedom from progression to
more severe lymphedema was 79% at 1 year, 66% at 3 years, and 52% at 5
years. The patients who were morbidly obese, had positive axillary
lymph nodes, or received supraclavicular irradiation at the time of
breast cancer treatment were at higher risk of progression from mild
arm lymphedema to more severe edema.

CONCLUSIONS: Mild arm lymphedema, generally considered to be a minor
complication after breast conservation treatment for breast cancer,
was associated with a risk of progression to a more severe grade of
arm lymphedema in a substantial fraction of patients.

PMID: 19427748 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19427748?ordinalpos=15&itool=Entre...