TY - JOUR
T1 - Lymphedema secondary to postmastectomy radiation
T2 - Incidence and risk factors
AU - Hinrichs, Christian S.
AU - Watroba, Nancy L.
AU - Rezaishiraz, Hamed
AU - Giese, William
AU - Hurd, Thelma
AU - Fassl, Kathleen A.
AU - Edge, Stephen B.
PY - 2004
Y1 - 2004
N2 - Background: Postmastectomy radiotherapy (PMRT) has proven benefits for certain patients with breast cancer; however, one of its complications is lymphedema. This study examines the incidence of and risk factors associated with lymphedema secondary to PMRT. Methods: The charts of patients treated with mastectomy at Roswell Park Cancer Institute between January 1, 1995, and April 20, 2001, who received PMRT were reviewed. Univariate analysis of patient, disease, and treatment variables was conducted. Multivariate analysis was performed on variables found to be significant in univariate analysis. Results: One hundred five patients received PMRT. The incidence of lymphedema was 27%. Patient age, body mass index, disease stage, positive lymph nodes, nodes resected, postoperative infection, duration of drainage, chemotherapy, and hormonal therapy were not associated with lymphedema. Total dose (P = .032), posterior axillary boost (P = .047), overlap technique (P = .037), radiotherapy before 1999 (P = .028), and radiotherapy at Roswell Park Cancer Institute (P = .028) were significantly associated with lymphedema. Increased lymphedema was noted with supraclavicular, internal mammary, mastectomy scar boost, and chest wall tangential photon beam radiation, but the associations were not statistically significant. Conclusions: The high incidence and debilitating effects of lymphedema must be weighed against the benefits of PMRT. Efforts to prevent lymphedema should be emphasized.
AB - Background: Postmastectomy radiotherapy (PMRT) has proven benefits for certain patients with breast cancer; however, one of its complications is lymphedema. This study examines the incidence of and risk factors associated with lymphedema secondary to PMRT. Methods: The charts of patients treated with mastectomy at Roswell Park Cancer Institute between January 1, 1995, and April 20, 2001, who received PMRT were reviewed. Univariate analysis of patient, disease, and treatment variables was conducted. Multivariate analysis was performed on variables found to be significant in univariate analysis. Results: One hundred five patients received PMRT. The incidence of lymphedema was 27%. Patient age, body mass index, disease stage, positive lymph nodes, nodes resected, postoperative infection, duration of drainage, chemotherapy, and hormonal therapy were not associated with lymphedema. Total dose (P = .032), posterior axillary boost (P = .047), overlap technique (P = .037), radiotherapy before 1999 (P = .028), and radiotherapy at Roswell Park Cancer Institute (P = .028) were significantly associated with lymphedema. Increased lymphedema was noted with supraclavicular, internal mammary, mastectomy scar boost, and chest wall tangential photon beam radiation, but the associations were not statistically significant. Conclusions: The high incidence and debilitating effects of lymphedema must be weighed against the benefits of PMRT. Efforts to prevent lymphedema should be emphasized.
KW - Breast neoplasms
KW - Complications
KW - Lymphedema
KW - Postmastectomy radiation
KW - Risk factors
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U2 - 10.1245/ASO.2004.04.017
DO - 10.1245/ASO.2004.04.017
M3 - Review article
C2 - 15172932
AN - SCOPUS:4043141307
VL - 11
SP - 573
EP - 580
JO - Annals of Surgical Oncology
JF - Annals of Surgical Oncology
SN - 1068-9265
IS - 6
ER -