title: Frequency and associated factors of axillary web syndrome in women who had undergone breast cancer surgery: a transversal and retrospective study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Breast cancer is the most common malignancy among women. Surgical treatment is an essential part of therapy, which still includes chemotherapy, radiotherapy and hormone therapy. The increase in early cancer detection and less aggressive treatment has made longer survival rates possible for women with this neoplasia. Morbidities after treatment have subsequently aroused particular interest in the scientific community in order to minimize their effects and provide increased quality-of-life for these patients. The present study aimed at investigating one of these morbidities: axillary web syndrome, which occurs after axillary surgical management.
  
  
  METHODS
  From December 2011 to September 2012, according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 97 patients, who had been surgically treated for breast cancer, were enrolled, interviewed, and submitted to a specific physical exam. An investigation of the axillary cords, characteristic of this syndrome, was performed in all patients.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The axillary web syndrome was diagnosed in 28.86% of the women. Higher risk of triggering the syndrome has been associated with younger age (21.7%), longer time between first treatment and data collection (29.3%), greater number of resected lymph nodes (149.7%) and surgical management medical teams (113.2%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  One can conclude that axillary web syndrome was associated with younger age, greater time elapsed since surgery, surgical management of medical staff and number of resected lymph nodes. Further studies are needed to review prior-to-surgery and post-operative follow-up, to properly assess the effects of surgery in the axilla on homeostatic balance, not only in the ipsilateral upper limb, but also assess their compensatory consequences throughout the body.
authors: Departamento de Patologia, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Avenida Professor Moraes Rego, 1235, Cidade Universitária, Recife, PE CEP: 50670-901 Brazil.
authors: Kassandra Ferreira Pessoa
authors: KF
authors: Fukushima
authors: Departamento de Patologia, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Avenida Professor Moraes Rego, 1235, Cidade Universitária, Recife, PE CEP: 50670-901 Brazil.
authors: Luana Aroucha
authors: LA
authors: Carmo
authors: Departamento de Patologia, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Avenida Professor Moraes Rego, 1235, Cidade Universitária, Recife, PE CEP: 50670-901 Brazil.
authors: Adriana Carvalho
authors: AC
authors: Borinelli
authors: Departamento de Patologia, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Avenida Professor Moraes Rego, 1235, Cidade Universitária, Recife, PE CEP: 50670-901 Brazil.
authors: Caroline Wanderley Souto
authors: CW
authors: Ferreira
keywords: Axilla; Lymph node excision; Postoperative complications; Vascular system injuries