title: Minimal limb volume change has a significant impact on breast cancer survivors.
abstract: We sought to define the incidence, risk factors, symptoms, and quality of life (QOL) outcomes associated with various degrees of postoperative limb volume change (LVC). A prospective cohort study was performed obtaining serial limb volume measurements using a perometer on 269 women undergoing surgery for breast cancer. Four groups were created based on maximum LVC: none < 5.0%, mild 5.0-9.9%, moderate 10.0-14.9%, and severe 15.0%. Symptoms and QOL were assessed. 81 (30.1%), 70 (26.0%), and 14 (5.2%) women developed mild, moderate, and severe LVC, respectively. Increases in body mass index (p < 0.001) and post-operative complications (p = 0.002) were associated with increasing LVC. Lower QOL scores were associated with a moderate LVC (OR = 3.72, 95% CI, 1.29-10.73, p = 0.015) and postoperative infections (OR = 5.04, 95% CI, 1.73-14.70, p = 0.003). LVC at 5.0% occurs in up to 61.3% of breast cancer survivors and is associated with a significant increase in symptoms and a change in reported quality of life.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgical Oncology, The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas 77230-1402, USA. jcormier@mdanderson.org
authors.forename: J N
authors.initials: JN
authors.lastname: Cormier
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Xing
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Zaniletti
authors.forename: R L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Askew
authors.forename: B R
authors.initials: BR
authors.lastname: Stewart
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Armer
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005121:Extremities / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011379:Prognosis; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D015996:Survival Rate; D017741:Survivors / Q000523:psychology*