Presented at the American Cancer Society Lymphedema Workshop, New York, New York, February 20-22, 1998.
1097-0142/asset/olbannerleft.gif?v=1&s=ca681f5719430b26e1bc15e9ea4c9fc0a7110104)
1097-0142/asset/olbannerright.gif?v=1&s=8142566facf7e76aef9be6c51162a2e920b3b9f9)
Original Article
You have full text access to this OnlineOpen article
Incidence of breast carcinoma-related lymphedema†
Article first published online: 9 NOV 2000
DOI: 10.1002/(SICI)1097-0142(19981215)83:12B+<2776::AID-CNCR25>3.0.CO;2-V
Copyright © 1998 American Cancer Society
Issue
1097-0142/asset/cover.gif?v=1&s=a7299bc18f075294c232ade468773cd0672bd470 "Cancer")
Cancer
Supplement: American Cancer Society Lymphedema Workshop
Volume 83, Issue Supplement 12B, pages 2776–2781, 15 December 1998
Additional Information
How to Cite
Petrek, J. A. and Heelan, M. C. (1998), Incidence of breast carcinoma-related lymphedema. Cancer, 83: 2776–2781. doi: 10.1002/(SICI)1097-0142(19981215)83:12B+<2776::AID-CNCR25>3.0.CO;2-V
- †
Publication History
- Issue published online: 9 NOV 2000
- Article first published online: 9 NOV 2000
- Manuscript Accepted: 20 AUG 1998
- Manuscript Received: 2 JUL 1998
Funded by
- Department of Defense. Grant Number: DAMD17-J-94-4276
- Abstract
- Article
- References
- Cited By
Keywords:
- breast carcinoma;
- lymphedema;
- quality of life;
- treatment complication
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Of the 2 million breast carcinoma survivors, perhaps 15-20% are living currently with posttreatment lymphedema. Along with the physical discomfort and disfigurement, patients with lymphedema also must cope with the distress derived from these symptoms.
METHODS
To review the medical literature for the question of lymphedema incidence, a comprehensive, computerized search was performed. All publications with subject headings designating breast carcinoma-related lymphedema from 1970 to the present (116 reports) were found, and each summary or abstract was read. Of the 116 reports, 35 discussed the incidence of lymphedema. Of these, seven reports since 1990 from five countries with the most relevance to current patients were then chosen for greater analysis and comparison.
RESULTS
The incidence of lymphedema ranged from 6% to 30%. The source of patients, length of follow-up, measurement techniques, and definition of lymphedema varied from report to report. In general, reports with shorter follow-up reported lower incidences of lymphedema.
CONCLUSIONS
The definitive study to determine the incidence of lymphedema has not been performed to date. There has been no prospective study in which patients have been followed at intervals with accurate measurement techniques over the long term. Cancer 1998;83:2776-2781. © 1998 American Cancer Society.