Breast Cancer-Related Lymphedema (BCRL)

Abstract

After undergoing treatment for breast cancer, many patients endure lifelong problems, such as lymphedema (LE), musculoskeletal problems, and psychosocial problems. Every patient with breast cancer-related LE (BCRL) should be assessed thoroughly for physical and psychological needs by a multidisciplinary team. In recent years, there has been increasing awareness of the diagnosis and treatment of BCRL. BCRL will be discussed in detail in this chapter.

Early Diagnosis of Lymphedema after Breast Cancer Treatment: Bio-Impedance Spectroscopy

“…On average, one fourth of patients receiving treatment for breast cancer develop lymphedema with the highest frequency being in the first 18 months following treatment (1)(2)(3)(4)(5)(6). In addition to the burden caused by cancer diagnosis following breast cancer treatment, the physical limitation of the arm due to lymphedema and the resulting social limitation, labor loss of patients, body image-related worry, anxiety depression and adaptation problems, social and sexual problems put the patients in a difficult condition in their professional and private lives.…”

“…The lack of a standard in measurement standards and differences of approach among centers are some of the difficulties experienced in approaching lymphedema. Since there are no well-designed and sufficient randomized studies, there is no consensus on the appropriate treatment for lymphedema (5,6).…”

“…However, the fact that these Early Diagnosis of Lymphedema after Breast Cancer Treatment: Bio-Impedance Spectroscopy measurements are not standard (measurement points may change at every examination), interpersonal measurement differences and limited effectiveness at the early stage are the disadvantages for these methods (5). Early diagnosis before the development of clinical signs and early start of therapy for the patients may prevent lymphedema from progressing to further stages irrevocably.…”