Lymphedema in breast cancer survivors: assessment and information provision in a specialized breast unit.
OBJECTIVE
Assessment and adequate treatment of lymphedema is required by the European Society of Mastology. The purpose of our study was the evaluation of self-reported incidences of lymphedema in breast cancer survivors and the effect of providing the patients with information about lymphedema on the extent to which lymph-drainage massage services and compression garments were used.


METHODS
A total of 742 breast cancer survivors were analysed in this questionnaire-based survey. The associations between lymphedema and the patients' medical history; morbidity located in the breast, axilla, and arm; the amount of information the patients had received concerning lymphedema; and the extent to which lymph-drainage massage services and compression garments were analyzed.


RESULTS
31.67% of the patients stated to have lymphedema. Radiotherapy was identified as a significant risk factor. Pain, paresthesia, and functional limitations were associated with the occurrence of lymphedema. The only independent positive predictive factor found to be associated with the use of lymph-drainage massage services (OR 5.74) was the provision of information about the condition.


CONCLUSIONS
Self-reported assessment of lymphedema is feasible. The observed lymphedema incidence of approximately 30% may be able to serve as a basis for benchmarking in quality-assurance procedures at breast centers.


CONCLUSIONS
Control mechanisms are required to assess if the indication for lymphdrainage is adequate and the compliance to this subject is sufficient.
Bani
Hiba A
HA
Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Erlangen University Hospital, Universitaetsstrasse 21-23, D-91054 Erlangen, Germany.
Fasching
Peter A
PA
Lux
Michael M
MM
Rauh
Claudia
C
Willner
Michaela
M
Eder
Irina
I
Loehberg
Christian
C
Schrauder
Michael
M
Beckmann
Matthias W
MW
Bani
Mayada R
MR
D000368:Aged; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001458:Bandages; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany / Q000453:epidemiology; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D016015:Logistic Models; D008209:Lymphedema / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology; D008405:Massage; D008875:Middle Aged; D009017:Morbidity; D009730:Nursing Assessment / Q000458:organization & administration*; D010146:Pain / Q000209:etiology; D010292:Paresthesia / Q000209:etiology; D010349:Patient Compliance / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000458:organization & administration*; D011878:Radiotherapy / Q000009:adverse effects; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D017741:Survivors