The Incidence of Swollen Arms after Radical Mastectomy and Suggestions for Prevention

Recanalization of the Collecting Lymphatics in Rabbit Hind Leg

“…Postoperative irradiation is thought to be the most important cause of postmastectomy lymphedema ( 1 ). Daland ( 9 ) also observed that the patients experiencing the greatest amount of swelling were those who received the highest doses of X‐rays. Radiation is known to induce and dose‐dependently increase fibrosis, brachial plexus neuropathy, and paralysis ( 17 ).…”

“…Insufficiency of lymph flow through the collecting lymphatics and the lymph nodes is generally observed in the extremities with primary and secondary lymphedema ( 7 ). Surgical removal of axillar and inguinal lymph nodes for treatment of a malignant tumor sometimes produces severe lymphedema in the arms and legs ( 9 ). The risk of lymphedema is correlated with the use of postoperative radiotherapy and the number of lymph nodes removed ( 12 ).…”

Prophylaxis of postmammectomy lymphedema by the use of gelfoam laminated rolls.A preliminary report, with a review of the theories on the etiology of elephantiasis chirurgica and a summary of previous operations for its control

“…A right radical mastectomy was done on October 5,1949. Because of the extremely small breast and the cutaneous invasion of the infra-areolar skin by cancer, a wide area of integument was removed.…”

Results in Treatment of Cancer of the Breast

“…Doland (8) says there is no relation between the presence of metastasis in lymph nodes and swelling of the arm. He found just as many cases of swollen arm in the group without metastasis.…”