Body mass index and breast cancer treatment-related lymphedema.
OBJECTIVE
The main purpose was to examine longitudinally the influence of body mass index (BMI) and obesity on the development of breast cancer treatment-related lymphedema. We asked, does elevated BMI increase lymphedema risk?


METHODS
A secondary analysis was conducted on de-identified data collected from 138 newly diagnosed breast cancer survivors who had arm-volume measurements and symptom assessment at pre-treatment baseline and measurements up to 30 months post-surgery in a prospective longitudinal parent study. Arm volume and weight data, part of the information collected during each participant visit, were examined.


RESULTS
Breast cancer survivors whose BMI was ≥30 at the time of breast cancer treatment were approximately 3.6 times more likely to develop lymphedema at 6 months or greater after diagnosis than those with a BMI < 30 at the time of cancer treatment (95% confidence interval, C.I., for odds ratio, O.R., 1.42-9.04; p = 0.007). Those with a general BMI increase or a BMI rise to 30 or greater during their first 30 months of survivorship were not more likely to develop late-onset lymphedema than those who did not have similar changes in BMI.


CONCLUSIONS
Pre-treatment BMI may be a risk factor for lymphedema. Weight gain post-treatment may not be. Further research is warranted.
School of Nursing, Vanderbilt University, 460 21st Avenue South, 525 Godchaux Hall, Nashville, TN 37240, USA. sheila.ridner@vanderbilt.edu
Sheila H
SH
Ridner
Mary S
MS
Dietrich
Bob R
BR
Stewart
Jane M
JM
Armer
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015992:Body Mass Index; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008209:Lymphedema / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D013997:Time Factors; D055815:Young Adult
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