[Arm morbidity after axillary dissection for breast cancer]

Axillary dissection for breast cancer is known to leave the patient with arm morbidity. The aim of this study was to describe the occurrence of lymphoedema, subjective swelling, abnormal sensations, and pain in a consecutive group of patients operated for breast cancer.

From April to October 1992, 140 consecutive women underwent an operation for breast cancer with axillary dissection at levels one and two. Patients with bilateral breast cancer or radiotherapy towards the axilla were excluded. The surviving 124 patients were invited to an investigation on arm morbidity and a questionnaire on subjective complaints was sent to them. Medical records and pathology reports were reviewed. Ninety-five patients (77%) were examined. Oedema of the arm was assessed by circumference measurements at three points.

Objective oedema was found in six patients (6%). Subjective swelling was reported by 24 women (25%). Of these, 14 women reported slight swelling, seven had moderate swelling, and three had severe swelling of the arm. Pain within the three months preceding the examination was reported by 31 (33%). Analgesics were taken by 13 women (14%), of whom five used analgesics daily. Abnormal sensations in the ipsilateral arm was reported by 62 (65%). Young patients in the low risk group, with removal of more than ten lymph nodes, suffered a higher degree of arm morbidity.

The only modifiable risk factor identified is the number of lymph nodes removed in axillary dissection. Other methods of staging could probably lessen arm morbidity.