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Updated: Oct 14, 2025
Integrating Augmented Reality Tools in Breast Cancer Related Lymphedema Prognostication and Diagnosis
Published on: February 6, 2020
A Risk Factor Analysis of Axillary Web Syndrome in Patients After Breast Cancer Surgery: A Single Center Study in
Sangah Jeong1, Byung Joo Song2, Jiyoung Rhu3
1Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Bucheon St. Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Bucheon, Korea.
Objective:
To investigate the prevalence and risk factors of axillary web syndrome (AWS) in Korean patients.
Methods:
This retrospective study included a total of 189 women who underwent breast cancer surgery and received physical therapy between September 2019 and August 2020. We analyzed AWS and the correlation between the patients' demographics, underlying disease, type of surgery and chemotherapy or radiation therapy, and lymphedema.
Results:
The prevalence of AWS was found to be 30.6%. In the univariable analysis, age, chemotherapy, and hypertension were related to AWS. Finally, the multivariable logistic regression revealed that chemotherapy (odds ratio [OR]=2.84; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.46-5.53) and HTN (OR=2.72; 95% CI, 1.18-6.30) were the strongest risk factors of AWS.
Conclusion:
To the best of our knowledge, this was the first study that explored the risk factors of AWS in a Korean population after breast cancer surgery. As almost one-third of patients suffer from AWS after breast cancer surgery, it is essential to closely monitor the development of AWS in patients with hypertension or undergoing chemotherapy.
