The Risk Factors of Lymphedema after Breast Cancer Surgery

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: This is a study to evaluate relationships between the occurrence of lymphedema and clinicopathologic factors in postmastectomy patients. METHOD: We studied 448 patients who underwent breast cancer surgery during the periods from January 1998 to December 2000, of which 69 patients developed lymphedema during the follow up period. We investigated the medical records of these follow-up patients. The general characteristics were tested by a chi-square test and student t-test and the possible risk factors were comparatively analyzed on these patients by a multiple logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: The incidence of lymphedema was significantly high with higher stages (p<0.05). The incidence of lymphedema was significantly high in higher N staging, but not in higher T staging. Patients who received radiation therapy also showed higher incidence rates (p<0.05). Patients who underwent Patey procedure showed higher incidence than those who underwent Auchincloss procedure. With increasing age, more lymphedema developed (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: These results suggest that the stage of tumor, state of lymph node metastasis, methods of surgical treatment, use of irradiation, and patient's age are the possible risk factors for the development of lymphedema. These risk factors might be useful as clinical indices for the prevention of postmastectomy lymphedema. So, we have to exert our efforts to minimize the development of lymphedema.