[Lymphedema and function of the arm after mastectomy for breast cancer]

We made an investigation of lymphedema and function of the arm in 1,115 patients after mastectomy. Slight edema was observed in 26.7 per cent, moderate edema in 3.9 per cent and severe in 0.9 per cent. Lymphedema is dependent upon the extensiveness of surgical operation. The incidence of moderate and severe edema is 2.5 per cent for 637 patients with modified radical mastectomy, 7.7 per cent for 440 patients with standard radical mastectomy and 10.5 per cent for 38 patients with extended radical mastectomy. The development of edema is more frequent in irradiated patients than in those without irradiation. No difference of the incidence of arm movement limitation is observed between modified radical mastectomy and standard radical mastectomy. Modified radical mastectomy, especially Auchincloss operation, offers a much cosmetic appearance.