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Factors associated with the development of arm lymphedema following breast cancer treatment: a match pair case-control study.

Johansson, Karin LU ; Ohlsson, Kerstina LU ; Ingvar, Christian LU ; Albertsson, Maria LU and Ekdahl, Charlotte LU (2002) In Lymphology 35(2). p.59-71
Abstract
We examinedfactors that may influence the development of arm lymphedema following breast cancer treatment including the specific mode of therapy, patient occupation and life style. Medical record data and a questionnaire were used to collect information after surgery concerning such issues as wound seroma, infection, adjuvant treatment, vessel string (phlebitis), body mass index, smoking habits and stress. Occupational workload was assessed after surgery whereas housework, exercise, hobbies and body weight were assessed both before and after surgery. Seventy-one breast cancer treated women with arm lymphedema lasting more than 6 months but less than 2 years were matched to women similarly treatedfor breast cancer but without arm lymphedema... (More)
We examinedfactors that may influence the development of arm lymphedema following breast cancer treatment including the specific mode of therapy, patient occupation and life style. Medical record data and a questionnaire were used to collect information after surgery concerning such issues as wound seroma, infection, adjuvant treatment, vessel string (phlebitis), body mass index, smoking habits and stress. Occupational workload was assessed after surgery whereas housework, exercise, hobbies and body weight were assessed both before and after surgery. Seventy-one breast cancer treated women with arm lymphedema lasting more than 6 months but less than 2 years were matched to women similarly treatedfor breast cancer but without arm lymphedema (controls). The matching factors included axillary node status, time after axillary dissection, and age. In the lymphedema group, there was a higher body mass index at time of surgery (p=0.03) as well at time of study (p=0.04). No differences were found in occupational workload (n=38) or housework, but the lymphedema group reduced their spare time activities including exercise after surgery compared with the controls (p<0.01). In conclusion, women treated for breast cancer with axillary node dissection with or without adjuvant radiotherapy could maintain their level of physical activity and occupational workload after treatment without an added risk of developing arm lymphedema. On the other hand, a higher BMI before and after operation increases the lymphedema risk. (Less)
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author
; ; ; and
organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
published
subject
in
Lymphology
volume
35
issue
2
pages
59 - 71
publisher
International Society of Lymphology
external identifiers
  • wos:000176212000003
  • pmid:12081053
  • scopus:0036279942
ISSN
0024-7766
language
English
LU publication?
yes
additional info
The information about affiliations in this record was updated in December 2015. The record was previously connected to the following departments: Division of Physiotherapy (Closed 2012) (013042000), Division of Occupational and Environmental Medicine (013078001), Oncology, MV (013035000), Surgery (Lund) (013009000)
id
27e754f0-7a0d-4295-8143-8d60fb54922e (old id 108987)
alternative location
http://www.u.arizona.edu/~witte/contents/2002.2.johansson.pdf
date added to LUP
2016-04-01 15:38:00
date last changed
2022-03-14 19:10:48
@article{27e754f0-7a0d-4295-8143-8d60fb54922e,
  abstract     = {{We examinedfactors that may influence the development of arm lymphedema following breast cancer treatment including the specific mode of therapy, patient occupation and life style. Medical record data and a questionnaire were used to collect information after surgery concerning such issues as wound seroma, infection, adjuvant treatment, vessel string (phlebitis), body mass index, smoking habits and stress. Occupational workload was assessed after surgery whereas housework, exercise, hobbies and body weight were assessed both before and after surgery. Seventy-one breast cancer treated women with arm lymphedema lasting more than 6 months but less than 2 years were matched to women similarly treatedfor breast cancer but without arm lymphedema (controls). The matching factors included axillary node status, time after axillary dissection, and age. In the lymphedema group, there was a higher body mass index at time of surgery (p=0.03) as well at time of study (p=0.04). No differences were found in occupational workload (n=38) or housework, but the lymphedema group reduced their spare time activities including exercise after surgery compared with the controls (p&lt;0.01). In conclusion, women treated for breast cancer with axillary node dissection with or without adjuvant radiotherapy could maintain their level of physical activity and occupational workload after treatment without an added risk of developing arm lymphedema. On the other hand, a higher BMI before and after operation increases the lymphedema risk.}},
  author       = {{Johansson, Karin and Ohlsson, Kerstina and Ingvar, Christian and Albertsson, Maria and Ekdahl, Charlotte}},
  issn         = {{0024-7766}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  number       = {{2}},
  pages        = {{59--71}},
  publisher    = {{International Society of Lymphology}},
  series       = {{Lymphology}},
  title        = {{Factors associated with the development of arm lymphedema following breast cancer treatment: a match pair case-control study.}},
  url          = {{http://www.u.arizona.edu/~witte/contents/2002.2.johansson.pdf}},
  volume       = {{35}},
  year         = {{2002}},
}