The psychosocial morbidity of breast cancer patients with lymphoedema

Woods, Mary; Tobin, Marie; Mortimer, Peter

doi:10.1097/00002820-199512000-00007

Cited by 79 publications

(51 citation statements)

References 0 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Unclassified

Order By: Relevance

“…Usually, lymphedema has been defined based on the difference in the arm measurements (volumetric or circumferential) between the treated and untreated sides. However, clinically significant lymphedema varies due to individual differences in subjective perception of symptoms and the severity of lymphedema, with self-rating showing a lower incidence compared to objective assessment [7].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Lymphedema of the upper extremity, in addition to being unsightly, can be painful, can limit the arm movements, increases the risk of infection and is psychologically distressing, serving as a constant reminder of cancer [3][4][5][6][7]. The incidence of lymphedema has been reported with a very wide range from 2%-40% in women treated with modified radical mastectomy or breast conserving surgery with no apparent difference between the two surgeries [4,5,[8][9][10][11].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Study of Incidence of Lymphedema in Indian Patients Undergoing Axillary Dissection for Breast Cancer

Pillai

Sharma

Ahmed

et al. 2010

Indian J Surg Oncol

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Lymphedema of the upper extremity, in addition to being unsightly, can be painful, can limit the arm movements, increases the risk of infection and is psychologically distressing, serving as a constant reminder of cancer. 1. To ascertain the incidence of lymphedema in a hospital based population (in patients undergoing axillary dissection for breast cancer. 2. To determine the clinicoepidemilogical factors associated with the occurrence of lymphedema in these patients. For all patients undergoing axillary dissection, arm measurements were taken in the pre-& post-operative period from at least 3 sites; one in the arm, forearm and wrist (points fixed in reference to fixed bony landmarks). Patients included in this study were followed up for at least 12 months. Circumference difference of more than 5% was taken as mild lymphedema; more than 10% as moderate lymphedema and more than 15% as severe lymphedema. Data was analyzed using SPSS 11.0 statistical software. Of the 231 patients in this study mean age was 51.2 years, majority were housewives (71.9%) and postmenopausal (58.5%). Modified radical mastectomy (MRM), was performed on 203 (87.9%) patients. 57.2% patients had positive lymph nodes. The mean number of positive nodes was 6.52. Majority of the patients received chemo and radio therapy. Overall incidence of lymphedema was 41.1%. The definition of 5-10% increase as mild lymphedema may be a bit severe as in most patients with this increase, lymphedema is not clinically apparent. The incidence of moderate and severe lymphedema in our series is only 7.4%. The incidence of clinically significant lymphedema (moderate to severe lymphedema & symptomatic mild lymphedema) was 16.8%. Only axillary irradiation and pathological nodal status (pN3) emerged as significant risk factors for lymphedema development on multivariate analysis. Lymphedema once established is difficult to treat. Combination of axillary dissection with radiation and more nodal positivity seems to predispose to lymphedema. Prevention by means of sentinel node biopsy in early cases, good surgical technique, arm care post surgery, exercises and massage therapy may help reducing the incidence and/or severity.

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Study of Incidence of Lymphedema in Indian Patients Undergoing Axillary Dissection for Breast Cancer

Pillai

Sharma

Ahmed

et al. 2010

Indian J Surg Oncol

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…28,[37][38][39][40][41][42][43][44] One prospective study concerned the QOL experienced by survivors of breast carcinoma after breast carcinoma treatment. 42 The other studies were retrospective.…”

Section: Methodologic Problemsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Socializing and dressing in summer months presented special challenges. 44,48 Women reported avoiding social activities, and were surprised by the insensitive comments from others about their disfigured arm and this lead to increased social isolation for some women.…”

Section: Family Friends Work and Playmentioning

confidence: 99%

Psychologic and social sequelae of secondary lymphedema

McWayne

Heiney

2005

Cancer

195

114

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Objective Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection of the central nervous system (CNS) is frequently associated with intrathecal immunoglobulin synthesis and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) pleocytosis, but little is known about the B‐cell response in the CSF of these patients. In this study, we investigated the relation between virus load and the frequency and phenotype of B cells in the CSF of HIV‐infected patients. Methods The distribution of T cells, B cells, short‐lived plasmablasts, and long‐lived plasma cells was analyzed by flow cytometry in CSF and peripheral blood of 33 patients with HIV infection compared with 12 patients with noninfectious CNS diseases. HIV RNA copy number in CSF and serum was quantified by kinetic polymerase chain reaction. Results B‐cell and plasmablast levels were increased in the CSF of HIV‐infected patients compared with patients with noninfectious CNS diseases. Whereas CSF B cells were found at similar frequency during early and late stages of HIV infection, plasmablasts were more prevalent in the CSF during early infection. Plasmablasts in the CSF correlated with intrathecal IgG synthesis and even stronger with HIV RNA copy numbers in CSF, in particular, in untreated, early HIV‐infected individuals. Initiation of antiviral treatment in therapy‐naive patients strongly decreased HIV copy numbers and plasmablasts in CSF. Interpretation Our findings demonstrate that HIV infection of the CNS triggers an early profound B‐cell response, with plasmablasts serving as the main virus‐related B‐cell subset in the CSF. Ann Neurol 2007

show abstract

“…2 Breast cancer survivors with lymphedema (BCS-LE) experience psychosocial and physical difficulties and a poorer quality of life than those without lymphedema. [8][9][10][11][12][13] They also have a unique cluster of symptoms associated with lymphedema-alteration in limb sensation, loss of confidence in body, decreased physical activity, fatigue, and psychological distress. 14 This cluster is present in individuals who have undergone professional limb volume reduction treatment and are purportedly self-managing the condition.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Bioelectrical Impedance Self-Measurement Protocol Development and Daily Variation Between Healthy Volunteers and Breast Cancer Survivors with Lymphedema

Ridner

Bonner

Doersam

et al. 2014

Lymphatic Research and Biology

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Background: A significant percentage of breast cancer survivors are at risk for lymphedema for which lifelong self-care is required. Previous studies suggest that less than 50% of breast cancer survivors with lymphedema (BCS-LE) perform prescribed self-care tasks and that even wearing a compression sleeve, the most commonly reported self-care activity, is done irregularly. Reasons for poor self-care adherence include perceived lack of results from self-care (no available arm volume data) and perceived inability to manage the condition. Methods and Results: A two-part pilot study was conducted to: 1) develop and determine the feasibility of a selfmeasurement protocol using a single frequency bioelectrical impedance device; and 2) examine daily variation in extracellular volume in healthy and lymphedematous limbs. Healthy and BCS-LE volunteers were recruited to refine and test a self-measurement protocol. Volunteers were trained in the use of the device and measured for 5 consecutive days in a laboratory setting. They were then given the device to use at home for an additional 5 consecutive days of self-measurement. All volunteers completed each scheduled home measurement. Daily variability in both groups was noted. Conclusions: Home self-measurement using bioelectrical impedance is feasible, acceptable, and captures change. This has implications for both self-care support and for the possibility of incorporating self-measurement using bioelectrical impedance in future clinical trials examining effectiveness of lymphedema treatment.

show abstract

The psychosocial morbidity of breast cancer patients with lymphoedema

Cited by 79 publications

References 0 publications

Study of Incidence of Lymphedema in Indian Patients Undergoing Axillary Dissection for Breast Cancer

Study of Incidence of Lymphedema in Indian Patients Undergoing Axillary Dissection for Breast Cancer

Psychologic and social sequelae of secondary lymphedema

Bioelectrical Impedance Self-Measurement Protocol Development and Daily Variation Between Healthy Volunteers and Breast Cancer Survivors with Lymphedema

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About