The Comparative Frequency of Breast Cancer-Related Lymphedema Determined by Perometer and Circumferential Measurements: Relationship with Functional Status and Quality of Life.
Gul Mete Civelek, Pınar Borman, Cansu Sahbaz Pirincci, Aysegul Yaman, Gokhan Ucar, Dogan Uncu, Seda Kahraman, Meltem Dalyan
{"title":"The Comparative Frequency of Breast Cancer-Related Lymphedema Determined by Perometer and Circumferential Measurements: Relationship with Functional Status and Quality of Life.","authors":"Gul Mete Civelek, Pınar Borman, Cansu Sahbaz Pirincci, Aysegul Yaman, Gokhan Ucar, Dogan Uncu, Seda Kahraman, Meltem Dalyan","doi":"10.1089/lrb.2024.0008","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b><i>Background:</i></b> The aim of this study was to comparatively determine the frequency of breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL) by using prospective monitoring with perometer and circumferential measurements in a group of patients who underwent breast cancer surgery. We also aimed to evaluate the relationship between volume changes and functional status and quality of life (QoL) in patients with breast cancer-related subclinical lymphedema. <b><i>Materials and Methods:</i></b> Patients who had unilateral breast cancer surgery for breast were assessed with circumferential and perometer, respectively, for volumes at baseline, 3rd-month, 6th-month, 9th-month, and 12th-month by the same physiotherapist. Every patient was informed about lymphedema symptoms and prevention. The demographic and clinical properties were recorded. Functional status and QoL were evaluated by Q-DASH and the Lymphedema Quality of Life Questionnaire-Arm questionnaires. <b><i>Results:</i></b> A total of 101 female patients with a mean age of 49.02 + 10.59 years completed the 12-month follow-up. Most of the patients were overweight, had an axillary dissection in addition to breast surgery, and received radiotherapy. The frequency of subclinical and clinical BCRL at the end of 12 months was determined by 34.7% and 23.8% with circumferential measures and perometer, respectively. QoL and functional scores did not differ between patients with and without subclinical lymphedema. <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> After the first 12 months after surgery, the frequency of BCRL assessed by circumferential measurements was higher than the frequency assessed by perometer. Periodic monitoring of women with breast cancer for the presence of BCRL, preferably by the same person together with patient education is suggested in order to allow early detection and timely intervention for BCRL.</p>","PeriodicalId":18168,"journal":{"name":"Lymphatic research and biology","volume":" ","pages":"88-94"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9000,"publicationDate":"2025-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Lymphatic research and biology","FirstCategoryId":"3","ListUrlMain":"https://doi.org/10.1089/lrb.2024.0008","RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"2025/1/6 0:00:00","PubModel":"Epub","JCR":"Q3","JCRName":"MEDICINE, RESEARCH & EXPERIMENTAL","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
Background: The aim of this study was to comparatively determine the frequency of breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL) by using prospective monitoring with perometer and circumferential measurements in a group of patients who underwent breast cancer surgery. We also aimed to evaluate the relationship between volume changes and functional status and quality of life (QoL) in patients with breast cancer-related subclinical lymphedema. Materials and Methods: Patients who had unilateral breast cancer surgery for breast were assessed with circumferential and perometer, respectively, for volumes at baseline, 3rd-month, 6th-month, 9th-month, and 12th-month by the same physiotherapist. Every patient was informed about lymphedema symptoms and prevention. The demographic and clinical properties were recorded. Functional status and QoL were evaluated by Q-DASH and the Lymphedema Quality of Life Questionnaire-Arm questionnaires. Results: A total of 101 female patients with a mean age of 49.02 + 10.59 years completed the 12-month follow-up. Most of the patients were overweight, had an axillary dissection in addition to breast surgery, and received radiotherapy. The frequency of subclinical and clinical BCRL at the end of 12 months was determined by 34.7% and 23.8% with circumferential measures and perometer, respectively. QoL and functional scores did not differ between patients with and without subclinical lymphedema. Conclusion: After the first 12 months after surgery, the frequency of BCRL assessed by circumferential measurements was higher than the frequency assessed by perometer. Periodic monitoring of women with breast cancer for the presence of BCRL, preferably by the same person together with patient education is suggested in order to allow early detection and timely intervention for BCRL.
期刊介绍:
Lymphatic Research and Biology delivers the most current peer-reviewed advances and developments in lymphatic biology and pathology from the world’s leading biomedical investigators. The Journal provides original research from a broad range of investigative disciplines, including genetics, biochemistry and biophysics, cellular and molecular biology, physiology and pharmacology, anatomy, developmental biology, and pathology.
Lymphatic Research and Biology coverage includes:
-Vasculogenesis and angiogenesis
-Genetics of lymphatic disorders
-Human lymphatic disease, including lymphatic insufficiency and associated vascular anomalies
-Physiology of intestinal fluid and protein balance
-Immunosurveillance and immune cell trafficking
-Tumor biology and metastasis
-Pharmacology
-Lymphatic imaging
-Endothelial and smooth muscle cell biology
-Inflammation, infection, and autoimmune disease