title: Time-course of arm lymphedema and potential risk factors for progression of lymphedema after breast conservation treatment for early stage breast cancer.
abstract: The objective of this study was to describe the progression of arm lymphedema (ALE) after the initial presentation among patients receiving breast conservation therapy for early stage breast cancer and to identify potential risk factors contributing to ALE progression. The study sample was the 266 stage I or II breast cancer patients with documented ALE who underwent breast conservation therapy that included lumpectomy, axillary staging followed by radiation therapy. ALE were graded according to a difference of 0.5-2 cm (mild), 2.1-3 cm (moderate), and >3 cm (severe) in the circumference between the upper extremities for the treated and untreated sides. ALE at presentation was scored as mild, moderate, and severe in 109 (41%), 125 (47%), and 32 (12%) patients, respectively. One third of patients with ALE progressed to a more severe grade of lymphedema at 5 years of follow-up. Age older than 65 years at the time of breast cancer treatment was associated with higher risk of ALE progression when compared 65 year age or younger (p = 0.04). The patients who had regional lymph node irradiation including posterior axillary boost were at higher risk of lymphedema progression than the patients treated with whole breast irradiation only (p = 0.001). Progression of ALE is a common occurrence. The current study provides support for the utility of routine arm measurements after breast cancer treatment to facilitate timely diagnosis and treatment of ALE.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Pennsylvania, 111 S.11th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA. voichita.bar-ad@jeffersonhospital.org
authors.forename: Voichita
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Bar Ad
authors.forename: Pinaki R
authors.initials: PR
authors.lastname: Dutta
authors.forename: Lawrence J
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Solin
authors.forename: Wei-Ting
authors.initials: WT
authors.lastname: Hwang
authors.forename: Kay See
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Tan
authors.forename: Stefan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Both
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cheville
authors.forename: Eleanor E R
authors.initials: EE
authors.lastname: Harris
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001132:Arm / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D001365:Axilla / Q000473:pathology / Q000528:radiation effects; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000601:surgery* / Q000628:therapy; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008197:Lymph Node Excision / Q000009:adverse effects; D008209:Lymphedema / Q000209:etiology*; D015412:Mastectomy, Segmental; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors