Read more about research on breast cancer-related lymphedema
Dr. Michael Brennan notes in the 1999 article: "Complexity of Pain in Post Breast
individuals can experience pain as a result of infection, surgical trauma to nerves or phantom breast pain, deep vein thrombosis, arthritis and joint pain. He suggests that acute infection and venous thrombosis be treated before using pressure based forms of therapy.
Lymphedema can occur as a result of cancer or after surgery or radiation treatment for cancer, particularly when lymph nodes are removed or damaged. Sometimes lymphedema doesn't show up until years after cancer treatment has taken place.
- Although secondary lymphedema is most commonly experenced in breast cancer, lymphedema can also occur as a result of other types of cancer. In 2010 the U.S. National Cancer Institute noted, "Lymphedema can occur after any cancer or its treatment that affects lymph node drainage. It has been reported to occur within days and up to 30 years after treatment for breast cancer. Eighty percent of patients experience onset within 3 years of surgery; the remainder develop edema at a rate of 1% per year.
Upper-extremity lymphedema most often occurs after breast cancer; lower-extremity lymphedema most often occurs with uterine cancer, prostate cancer, lymphoma, or melanoma. A large population-based study supports the evidence that lower-limb lymphedema is experienced by a significant proportion of women after treatment for gynecological cancer, with the highest prevalence (36%) among vulvar cancer survivors and the lowest prevalence (5%) among ovarian cancer survivors.
There is no consistency in the data on the incidence and prevalence of lymphedema after breast cancer, probably because of differences in diagnosis, the different characteristics of the patients studied, and inadequate follow-up to capture delayed development of the disorder. The overall incidence of arm lymphedema can range from 8% to 56% at 2 years postsurgery."
A systematic review of incidences of cancer-related secondary lymphedema (see: Lymphedema beyond breast cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis of cancer-related secondary lymphedema. Cormier JN, et al Cancer. 2010 Nov 15) found that "the overall incidence of lymphedema was 15.5% and varied by malignancy (P < .001): melanoma, 16% (upper extremity, 5%; lower extremity, 28%); gynecologic, 20%; genitourinary, 10%; head/neck, 4%; and sarcoma, 30%. Increased lymphedema risk was also noted for patients undergoing pelvic dissections (22%) and radiation therapy (31%). Objective measurement methods and longer follow-up were both associated with increased lymphedema incidence."
- It is likely that the rate of lymphedema in individuals treated for breast cancer will be reduced as research identifies new ways to prevent lymphedema through reducing the number of lymph nodes radiated and removed, to undertaking exercise and physiotherapy after surgery. See:
Flying and lymphedema: its effects on breast cancer survivors
heads up a cross-Canada BC
study on lymphedema