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The prevalence of arm lymphedema after radiation treatment in patients with breast cancer

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  18 August 2021

Kamonrat Sueangamiam  and
Kanisa Rongsriyam Open the ORCID record for Kanisa Rongsriyam [Opens in a new window]
Kamonrat Sueangamiam
Affiliation:
Department of Radiological Technologist, Faculty of Medicine Vajira Hospital, Navamindradhiraj University, Bangkok, Thailand
Kanisa Rongsriyam*
Affiliation:
Department of Radiology, Faculty of Medicine Vajira Hospital, Navamindradhiraj University, Bangkok, Thailand
*
Author for correspondence: Kanisa Rongsriyam, Department of Radiology, Navamindradhiraj University, 681 Samsen Road, Dusit, Bangkok 10300, Thailand. Tel: 66 (81) 8168789. Fax: 66(2)244-3255. E-mail: kanisa_r@hotmail.com
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Abstract

Aim:

To evaluate the prevalence and risk factors of arm lymphedema in patients with breast cancer.

Materials and methods:

Between 2006 and 2017, we investigated patients with breast cancer after breast surgery who received adjuvant radiotherapy at the breast or chest wall, and/or adjuvant radiotherapy at regional lymph nodes, and standard systemic chemotherapy depending on disease stage and risk factors. We assessed arm lymphedema using arm circumference measurement differences on the treated side compared with the opposite arm (≥2 cm measurements at any one position). Associations between arm lymphedema and potential risk factors were identified using statistical analysis.

Results:

In 308 patients, arm lymphedema prevalence was 6·2%. Patients having ≥20 lymph nodes removed (hazard ratio (HR) = 3·29; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1·12–8·87), undergoing regional lymph node irradiation (HR = 1·81; 95% CI: 1·09–13·28), and no arm and shoulder exercises after treatment (HR = 3·16; 95% CI: 1·89–5·26) had a higher risk of arm lymphedema.

Findings:

Arm lymphedema is a serious breast cancer complication and is a preventable morbidity. Planning arm and shoulder exercises in line with adjuvant treatments and increasing clinical awareness of early indications could help lower the risk of occurrence.

Keywords

arm lymphedemabreast cancerprevalenceradiotherapy
Type
Original Article
Information
Journal of Radiotherapy in Practice , Volume 22 , 2023 , e7
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Copyright
© The Author(s), 2021. Published by Cambridge University Press

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