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Updated: Dec 12, 2025
Integrating Augmented Reality Tools in Breast Cancer Related Lymphedema Prognostication and Diagnosis
Published on: February 6, 2020
Risk Factors for Lymphedema in Breast Cancer Survivors Following Axillary Lymph Node Dissection
Yoshiteru Akezaki1, Ritsuko Tominaga2, Masato Kikuuchi2
1Division of Physical Therapy, Kochi Professional University of Rehabilitation, Kochi, Japan.
Objective:
The aim of the current study was to assess the risk factors for developing lymphedema following breast cancer treatment.
Methods:
The subjects of this study were 238 consecutive patients who underwent axillary lymph node dissection for breast cancer at Shikoku Cancer Center. The study variables were the occurrence of lymphedema, the body mass index, the follow-up period, the drain removal time, the level of lymph node dissection, the presence or absence of co-resident household members, radiation therapy, neoadjuvant chemotherapy, and adjuvant chemotherapy.
Results:
We observed lymphedema in 23.9% of patients after axillary lymph node dissection for breast cancer. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy and adjuvant chemotherapy using docetaxel and cyclophosphamide increased the risk of developing lymphedema (P <0.05).
Conclusions:
Those patients treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy and adjuvant chemotherapy using docetaxel and cyclophosphamide should be observed closely after axillary lymph node dissection, and appropriate intervention should be considered from an early stage.
