Lymphedema following breast cancer: The importance of surgical methods and obesity

Rebecca J Tsai; Leslie K Dennis; Charles F Lynch; Linda G Snetselaar; Gideon K D Zamba; Carol Scott-Conner

doi:10.15761/FWH.1000144

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Lymphedema following breast cancer: The importance of surgical methods and obesity

Journal article

Open access

Lymphedema following breast cancer: The importance of surgical methods and obesity

Rebecca J Tsai, Leslie K Dennis, Charles F Lynch, Linda G Snetselaar, Gideon K D Zamba and Carol Scott-Conner

Frontiers in women's health, Vol.3(2)

06/2018

DOI: 10.15761/FWH.1000144

PMCID: PMC6293280

PMID: 30555923

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Abstract

Breast cancer-related arm lymphedema is a serious complication that can adversely affect quality of life. Identifying risk factors that contribute to the development of lymphedema is vital for identifying avenues for prevention. The aim of this study was to examine the association between the development of arm lymphedema and both treatment and personal (e.g., obesity) risk factors. Women diagnosed with breast cancer in Iowa during 2004 and followed through 2010, who met eligibility criteria, were asked to complete a short computer assisted telephone interview about chronic conditions, arm activities, demographics, and lymphedema status. Lymphedema was characterized by a reported physician-diagnosis, a difference between arms in the circumference (> 2cm), or the presence of multiple self-reported arm symptoms (at least two of five major arm symptoms, and at least four total arm symptoms). Relative risks (RR) were estimated using logistic regression. Arm lymphedema was identified in 102 of 522 participants (19.5%). Participants treated by both axillary dissection and radiation therapy were more likely to have arm lymphedema than treated by either alone. Women with advanced cancer stage, positive nodes, and larger tumors along with a body mass index > 40 were also more likely to develop lymphedema. Arm activity level was not associated with lymphedema. Surgical methods, cancer characteristics and obesity were found to contribute to the development of arm lymphedema. Vigorous arm activity post-surgery was not found to increase the risk of arm lymphedema.

Surgery

arm activity

arm lymphedema

body mass index

breast cancer comorbidity

Details

Title: Subtitle: Lymphedema following breast cancer: The importance of surgical methods and obesity
Creators: Rebecca J Tsai - Department of Epidemiology, College of Public Health, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
Leslie K Dennis - Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, College of Public Health, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
Charles F Lynch - Department of Epidemiology, College of Public Health, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
Linda G Snetselaar - Department of Epidemiology, College of Public Health, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
Gideon K D Zamba - Department of Biostatistics, College of Public Health, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
Carol Scott-Conner - Department of Surgery, College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: Frontiers in women's health, Vol.3(2)
DOI: 10.15761/FWH.1000144
PMID: 30555923
PMCID: PMC6293280
NLM abbreviation: Front Womens Health
ISSN: 2398-2799
eISSN: 2398-2799
Publisher: England
Grant note: R03 CA130031 / NCI NIH HHS P30 CA086862 / NCI NIH HHS
Language: English
Date published: 06/2018
Academic Unit: Radiology; Epidemiology; Biostatistics; Surgery; Internal Medicine
Record Identifier: 9983995168502771

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