title: The Influence of Arm Swelling Duration on Shoulder Pathology in Breast Cancer Patients with Lymphedema.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the pathological effect of the duration of arm swelling on the shoulder pathology in patients with breast cancer-related lymphedema.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty seven breast cancer patients with unilateral arm lymphedema were assessed. The duration of the arm swelling and shoulder pain were recorded. Ultrasound examination of the shoulder joint was performed in all patients to detect any lesions.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Abnormalities were detected by ultrasound in 41/47 (87.2%) study participants. Subacromial subdeltoid bursal thickening was found in 26/47 (55.3%) participants, distension of the biceps brachii tendon sheath was found in 14/47 (29.8%) and a supraspinatus tendon tear was found in 13/47 (27.7%). Patients with a supraspinatus tendon tear were found to have a significantly longer duration of lymphedema (1310 days vs. 398 days, p = 0.032).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The duration of arm lymphedema has a progressive pathological effect on rotator cuff. Clinicians should adopt an early management approach of shoulder pain in patients with breast cancer-related lymphedema.
authors.affiliation: Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Incheon St. Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Incheon, Korea.
authors.forename: Dae-Hyun
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Jang
authors.affiliation: Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Incheon St. Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Incheon, Korea.
authors.forename: Min-Wook
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Incheon St. Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Incheon, Korea.
authors.forename: Se-Jeong
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Oh
authors.affiliation: Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Incheon St. Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Incheon, Korea.
authors.forename: Jae Min
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Kim
mesh_terms: D001132:Arm / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D008209:Lymphedema / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D012782:Shoulder / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D013997:Time Factors; D014463:Ultrasonography