Life after breast cancer: dealing with lymphoedema

In recent years, breast cancer (BC) mortality rates have declined, reflecting advances in early detection. Prevention and management of treatment sequelae that could impair function or quality of life have increased in relevance. Lymphoedema after BC treatment is one of these sequelae. It is caused by an acquired interruption or damage to the axillary lymphatic system and it is characterized by an abnormal accumulation of fluids and other substances in the tissue.

We observed a group of patients with incidents of BC aiming to estimate the lymphoedema incidence, degree, time course, symptoms and treatment they received.

We evaluated 127 women. Median age was 58 years. 66% were postmenopausal. The median number of axillary nodes was 9. Over the first five years of follow-up we were informed about hand/arm swelling, thickness or tiredness by 37% of this group. The median of axillary nodes affected by metastatic cells in our patients with lymphoedema was 6. The symptoms they referred to us as the most relevant were heaviness (33%), tiredness (27%), jewelry or clothing too tight (25%), swelling and indentations (9%) and difficulty writing (6%). Several of them had psychological problems.

We know of the relevance of lymphoedema in BC patients but its natural history and most effective therapies are poorly understood. Self-reported symptoms are relevant to promptly start therapy.