[Incidence and risk factors of lymphedema in women after surgery for breast cancer].
BACKGROUND
Epidemiologic data for the last decade reveal increasing incidence of female breast cancer in Poland. One of the serious therapeutic consequences in breast cancer is secondary lymphedema of the upper extremity which significantly affects the quality of life. The aim of this study was to assess the incidence and to identify risk factors of lymphedema after breast cancer surgery.


METHODS
Lymphedema and its severity were studied on the basis of anamnesis, clinical examination, and optoelectronic measurement of limb volume. The study group consisted of 246 women after breast cancer surgery.


CONCLUSIONS
Lymphedema was observed in 40.6% of women. The most important risk factors for lymphedema include previous infections, radiotherapy, and obesity.
Doś
Janusz
J
Zamiejscowy Wydział Kultury Fizycznej w Gorzowie Wlkp. Akademii Wychowania Fizycznego w Poznaniu ul. Estkowskiego 13, 66-400 Gorzów Wlkp.
Gutowski
Piotr
P
Górska-Doś
Magdalena
M
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000601:surgery; D015897:Comorbidity; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007239:Infections / Q000453:epidemiology; D008197:Lymph Node Excision / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008209:Lymphedema / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology*; D008408:Mastectomy / Q000009:adverse effects; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000453:epidemiology; D011044:Poland / Q000453:epidemiology; D012307:Risk Factors; D034941:Upper Extremity