Prevalence of lymphedema in women with breast cancer 5 years after sentinel lymph node biopsy or axillary dissection: Objective measurements Journal Article


Authors: Mclaughlin, S. A.; Wright, M. J.; Morris, K. T.; Giron, G. L.; Sampson, M. R.; Brockway, J. P.; Hurley, K. E.; Riedel, E. R.; Van Zee, K. J.
Article Title: Prevalence of lymphedema in women with breast cancer 5 years after sentinel lymph node biopsy or axillary dissection: Objective measurements
Abstract: Purpose Sentinel lymph node biopsy was adopted for the staging of the axilla with the assumption that it would reduce the risk of lymphedema in women with breast cancer. The aim of this study was to determine the long-term prevalence of lymphedema after SLN biopsy (SLNB) alone and after SLNB followed by axillary lymph node dissection (SLNB/ALND). Patients and Methods At median follow-up of 5 years, lymphedema was assessed in 936 women with clinically node-negative breast cancer who underwent SLNB alone or SLNB/ALND. Standardized ipsilateral and contralateral measurements at baseline and follow-up were used to determine change in ipsilateral upper extremity circumference and to control for baseline asymmetry and weight change. Associations between lymphedema and potential risk factors were examined. Results Of the 936 women, 600 women (64%) underwent SLNB alone and 336 women (36%) underwent SLNB/ALND. Patients having SLNB alone were older than those having SLNB/ALND (56 v 52 years; P < .0001). Baseline body mass index (BMI) was similar in both groups. Arm circumference measurements documented lymphedema in 5% of SLNB alone patients, compared with 16% of SLNB/ALND patients (P < .0001). Risk factors associated with measured lymphedema were greater body weight (P < .0001), higher BMI (P < .0001), and infection (P < .0001) or injury (P = .02) in the ipsilateral arm since surgery. Conclusion When compared with SLNB/ALND, SLNB alone results in a significantly lower rate of lymphedema 5 years postoperatively. However, even after SLNB alone, there remains a clinically relevant risk of lymphedema. Higher body weight, infection, and injury are significant risk factors for developing lymphedema.
Keywords: carcinoma; surgery; stage-i; multicenter; arm morbidity; group trial; upper-limb morbidity
Journal Title: Journal of Clinical Oncology
Volume: 26
Issue: 32
ISSN: 0732-183X
Publisher: American Society of Clinical Oncology  
Date Published: 2008-11-01
Start Page: 5213
End Page: 5219
Language: English
ACCESSION: WOS:000260698400013
DOI: 10.1200/jco.2008.16.3725
PROVIDER: wos
PMCID: PMC2652091
PUBMED: 18838709
Notes: --- - Article; Proceedings Paper - Breast Cancer Symposium of the American-Society-of-Clinical-Oncology - SEP 07-08, 2007 - San Francisco, CA - "Source: Wos"
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MSK Authors
  1. Katherine Teresa Morris
    8 Morris
  2. Gladys Linda Giron
    6 Giron
  3. Kimberly J Van Zee
    293 Van Zee
  4. Karen E Hurley
    45 Hurley
  5. Mary Jo M Wright
    4 Wright
  6. Michelle R Sampson
    10 Sampson