Imaging and management of lymphedema in the era of precision oncology

Lymphedema is a common complication of cancer treatment, leading to significant morbidity. Early and accurate diagnosis through the combined expertise of radiology and nuclear medicine is crucial for preventing lymphedema progression and improving patient outcomes. Imaging techniques such as lymphoscintigraphy, duplex ultrasound, MRI, and CT as well as newer modalities including near-infra-red lymphangiography can diagnose and assess lymphedema severity. Bioimpedance spectroscopy provides a non-invasive tool for early detection by measuring extracellular fluid changes, aiding in identifying lymphedema at its earliest stages. Pre-treatment baseline measurements and prospective surveillance models are essential for tracking limb volume changes and mobility, enhancing early intervention outcomes. Recognizing the strengths and limitations of each imaging modality allows radiologists and nuclear medicine physicians to synergistically optimize lymphedema diagnosis and management. Effective management relies on multidisciplinary collaboration and includes conservative and surgical options tailored to disease severity. Advanced imaging modalities are pivotal for planning and monitoring interventional strategies. This review explores the development and management of secondary lymphedema in oncological patients, focusing chiefly on imaging and treatment strategies. It also briefly highlights the evolving role of artificial intelligence and machine learning in enhancing imaging precision and treatment outcomes.

Mechanics of Lymphatic Pumping and Lymphatic Function

The lymphatic system plays a crucial role in maintaining tissue fluid balance, immune surveillance, and the transport of lipids and macromolecules. Lymph is absorbed by initial lymphatics and then driven through lymph nodes and to the blood circulation by the contraction of collecting lymphatic vessels. Intraluminal valves in collecting lymphatic vessels ensure the unidirectional flow of lymph centrally. The lymphatic muscle cells that invest in collecting lymphatic vessels impart energy to propel lymph against hydrostatic pressure gradients and gravity. A variety of mechanical and biochemical stimuli modulate the contractile activity of lymphatic vessels. This review focuses on the recent advances in our understanding of the mechanisms involved in regulating and collecting lymphatic vessel pumping in normal tissues and the association between lymphatic pumping, infection, inflammatory disease states, and lymphedema.

Bibliometric and visual analysis of breast cancer-related lymphedema: Knowledge structure, research status, and future trends

BACKGROUND

As the survival rate of breast cancer patients increases, breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL) has gradually received attention from researchers. This study aims to sort out and summarize the relevant studies on BCRL using bibliometric analysis and to explore future research trends.

METHODS

In this study, we searched the Web of Science Core Collection for publications related to BCRL, analyzed the publication trends by applying Microsoft Excel 2019, and analyzed authors, cited journals, journal mapping overlays, cited references, and keywords by applying CiteSpace (v.6.1.R3 Advanced). SCImago Graphica (v.1.0.39) was applied to analyze countries/regions, institutions, and published journals.

RESULTS

We finally included 1000 publications published between 2003 and July 4, 2024. Publications showed an upward trend, with the largest number of publications in 2023. USA is the most published country, Harvard University is the most published institution, Taghian AG is the most published author, and DiSipio T is the most cited author. Lymphatic Research and Biology is the most published journal, and Cancer-American Cancer Society is the most cited journal. "Breast cancer," "arm lymphedema," and "quality of life" were the most frequent keywords. Current research focuses on risk factors, treatment strategies, and patients' quality of life with BCRL. Future research will mainly focus on establishing BCRL evaluation protocols, improving treatment techniques, and early prevention and detection of BCRL.

CONCLUSION

Our study sorts out the current knowledge structure in the field and highlights the current state of research and future research directions. These findings inform researchers and clinicians.

Research trends on lymphedema after mastectomy for breast cancer patients from 2000 to 2023: a scientometric analysis

Background

Breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL) is a common and debilitating complication following breast cancer treatment. Despite its significant impact on patients' quality of life, bibliometric analyses focusing on BCRL are scarce. This study aims to explore global research trends on BCRL from 2000 to 2023, identify existing knowledge gaps, and highlight emerging focus areas through a bibliometric approach.

Methods

A comprehensive search was conducted using the Web of Science (WOS) database to retrieve literature published between January 2000 and November 2023. Bibliometric analyses and visualizations were performed using R Studio, CiteSpace, and VOSviewer. Key data extracted included publication trends, contributing countries and institutions, leading authors, journals, research categories, and keywords. Outcome measures for analysis included the number of publications, citation counts, author productivity, and keyword co-occurrence.

Results

A total of 919 eligible publications from 52 countries and regions, 1,163 institutions, and 3,550 authors were identified. These publications appeared in 255 journals, with "Lymphology" emerging as the journal with the highest citation count. The USA was the most prolific contributor to the field. The annual number of publications demonstrated a consistent upward trend. Keyword co-occurrence analysis revealed prominent research hotspots, including "lymphedema," "women," "breast cancer," "arm lymphedema," and "quality of life." Emerging keyword trends from 2021 to 2023 highlighted "prevention" and "validity" as pivotal research frontiers.

Conclusions

This bibliometric study highlights the growing interest in breast cancer-related lymphedema research and identifies key areas for future investigation, including prevention, diagnosis, and treatment strategies. The results underscore the need for further exploration of these emerging research areas to improve patient outcomes.

Comfortable knowing little about lymphoedema? A qualitative study of medical interns in Australia

OBJECTIVES

Knowledgeable doctors are needed for timely assessment, diagnosis and management of lymphoedema. This qualitative study explored the thoughts and feelings of Australian interns (medical graduates in their first postgraduate year) towards (i) their understanding of the lymphatic system and lymphoedema, (ii) curricula pertaining to lymphoedema within their Australian medical degree and (iii) how they perceive that their understanding and medical training in lymphoedema influence their clinical practice.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

Qualitative semistructured interviews were conducted with interns employed within their first postgraduate year in Australia. Interviews were conducted via Microsoft Teams or telephone, video-recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed using thematic analysis. Inductive (data-driven) codes identified in the data were organised into themes.

RESULTS

The overarching theme was one of ambivalence. Participants noted that they had knowledge gaps related to lymphoedema (theme 1), but were not concerned by them, as they did not consider lymphoedema a condition they were expected to know about at medical school or in clinical practice (theme 2). Furthermore, they questioned the relevance of lymphoedema to their role (theme 3) and they considered lymphoedema care to be the responsibility of others (theme 4).

CONCLUSION

These findings suggest a discord between what interns in this study recall being taught about lymphoedema and what current literature suggests newly graduated doctors should know. Future research is needed to explore the extent to which these findings extend to the perceptions of more senior doctors and how these findings impact the unmet needs of people with lymphoedema in Australia.

Single-Malt Whisky Versus Cocktail? Approaches to Surgical Lymphedema Management

Lymphedema is a chronic, dynamic, and multifaceted disease that is effectively treated by surgery. However, there is a lack of consensus in the field about the ideal technique; is it better to perform one surgery type at a time (the "single-malt whisky" approach), or combine different procedures in a single surgery (the "cocktail" approach)? Here, we review advances in these opposing camps, compare outcomes, and discuss potential paradigm shifts in the surgical treatment of lymphedema.

Analysis of Different Lymphedema Assessment Tools in Women with Breast Cancer After Mastectomy

Background: Lymphedema is a common complication after mastectomy in women with breast cancer. Several methods have been described to assess and diagnose lymphedema, one of the most studied being the perimeter and ultrasonography. However, the reliability of these methods and the correlation between them are still controversial. The aim of this study was to analyze the reliability of cytometry and ultrasound imaging in the assessment of lymphedema after mastectomy in women with breast cancer and to study the correlation between them. Methods and Results: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 29 women with mastectomy after breast cancer. Lymphedema in the arm was measured both with cytometry and ultrasonography. Reliability was calculated with intraclass correlation coefficient. The correlation between the two methods was carried out with the Pearson correlation coefficient. Both cytometry (M1: α = 0.999, ICC = 0.996; M2: = α = 0.998, ICC = 0.994) and ultrasonography (M1: α = 0.992, ICC = 0.976; M2: = α = 0.991, ICC = 0.973) are reliable methods to assess lymphedema in the arm. No significant correlation was found between them (p > 0.05). Conclusions: Cytometry and ultrasonography appear to be adequate for the measurement of edema in women with breast cancer after mastectomy. However, for an accurate measurement of lymphedema, these measurements should not be used interchangeably.

The added value of positron emission mammography in the assessment of the axillary lymph nodes of the pathologically proven breast cancer

Background

The staging and management of patients with breast cancer are significantly influenced by the pathological state of the axillary lymph nodes (ALN). Thus, it is very desirable to have a differential diagnosis of metastatic ALN.

Purpose

The aim of this research is to assess the effectiveness of non-invasive ALN staging using PEM versus traditional breast mammography and ultrasound in patients presenting with early-stage breast cancer. This study focuses on determining if PEM can reliably stage ALNs and potentially eliminate the need for more invasive methods.

Methods

In a study involving 94 breast cancer patients, PEM was used to assess ALNs. The nodes were visually evaluated for positive or negative uptake, and further categorized as non-specific, indeterminate, or malignant based on their maximum uptake values. This classification was then compared with histopathological results.

Results

There were a total of 94 breast cancer patients; the results from PEM demonstrated an ALN detection sensitivity of 83.3%. The specificity of PEM in this context was found to be 98.08%, and the overall accuracy rate was 91.49%. Additionally, the Positive Predictive Value (PPV) was calculated to be 97.2%, and the Negative Predictive Value (NPV) was 87.9%.

Conclusions

The initial study has shown encouraging outcomes in terms of accurate lymph node assessment.

Combination of Supramicrosurgical Lymphatico-Venular Anastomosis (sLVA) and Lymph-Sparing Liposuction in Treating Cancer-Related Lymphedema: Rationale for a Regional One-Stage Approach

Objective: Cancer-related lymphedema represents a potential complication of cancer treatment. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of the combination of lymphatico-venular anastomosis and liposuction in the treatment of secondary lymphedema. Methods: We present a retrospective analysis of patients affected by cancer-related unilateral limb lymphedema. Inclusion criteria included previous neoplastic pathology with the consequent development of unilateral limb lymphedema, while the exclusion criteria included the presence of comorbidities and the persistence of cancer, as well as previous lymphatic surgery. The outcomes to be included were a reduction in the limb volume and lymphangitis rate, and an improvement in the quality of life. Patients' data were assessed before surgery and 1 year after surgery. Perioperative management included clinical and ultrasonographical evaluations. Under local anesthesia, lymphatico-venular anastomosis with the supramicrosurgical technique and the liposuction of the affected limb was performed in the same surgical session. Results: A total of 24 patients were enrolled in the study. One year after the surgery, an average volume reduction of 37.9% was registered (p = 0.0000000596). The lymphangitis rate decreased after surgery from 4.67 to 0.95 per year (p = 0.000007899). The quality-of-life score improved from 68.7 to 16 according to the LLIS scale. Conclusions: The combination of LVA and liposuction represents a valid strategy for treating cancer-related lymphedema, ensuring stable results over time. In addition, it can be performed under local anesthesia, resulting in being minimally invasive and well-tolerated by patients. This paper reports on the short-term efficacy of this combined technique.

Defining breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL) prevalence and risk factors: A pragmatic approach to lymphedema surveillance

Introduction

We presented the key findings from Singapore's Changi General Hospital Breast Centre's lymphedema surveillance strategy that used patients' reported symptoms, standard arm circumference measurements and clinical assessment in the diagnosis of breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL). Our secondary aim was to highlight and discuss important elements of a surveillance strategy that can be implemented to track this outcome measure of breast cancer treatment for future research.

Method

We conducted a cross-sectional study of 511 breast cancer patients to assess the prevalence of BCRL and its associated risk factors. We defined BCRL prevalence rates based on patients' self-reporting, objective arm circumference measure-ments and clinical diagnosis based on International Society of Lymphology (ISL) staging.

Results

The median follow-up of patients was 88.8 months. The cumulative prevalence rate in the cohort was 30.9%. The cohort of BCRL patients were older (58.4 versus [vs] 54.9 years), had higher mean Body Mass Index (27.7 vs 25.2), higher proportion of mastectomy (77% vs 64.3%), axillary clearance, less likely breast reconstruction, higher-grade tumour, more lymph nodes excised, more advanced nodal disease, and had undergone adjuvant chemotherapy. However, clinically apparent BCRL was only 6.5% (33 out of 511 patients). The proportion of clinically significant BCRL in patients undergoing sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) or axillary sampling was 1.7% compared to 9.9% in patients who had undergone axillary clearance. Majority of the BCRL were subclinical or mild in severity.

Conclusion

Our study showed that our rates of BCRL were comparable to international rates and highlighted similar patient profiles who were at risk of developing the disease. Having a comprehensive lymphedema surveillance strategy is paramount in paving the way for future studies.

Advances in lymphedema: An under-recognized disease with a hopeful future for patients

Lymphedema has traditionally been underappreciated by the healthcare community. Understanding of the underlying pathophysiology and treatments beyond compression have been limited until recently. Increased investigation has demonstrated the key role of inflammation and resultant fibrosis and adipose deposition leading to the clinical sequelae and associated reduction in quality of life with lymphedema. New imaging techniques including magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), indocyanine green lymphography, and high-frequency ultrasound offer improved resolution and understanding of lymphatic anatomy and flow. Nonsurgical therapy with compression, exercise, and weight loss remains the mainstay of therapy, but growing surgical options show promise. Physiologic procedures (lymphovenous anastomosis and vascularized lymph node transfers) improve lymphatic flow in the diseased limb and may reduce edema and the burden of compression. Debulking, primarily with liposuction to remove the adipose deposition that has accumulated, results in a dramatic decrease in limb girth in appropriately selected patients. Though early, there are also exciting developments of potential therapeutic targets tackling the underlying drivers of the disease. Multidisciplinary teams have developed to offer the full breadth of evaluation and current management, but the development of a greater understanding and availability of therapies is needed to ensure patients with lymphedema have greater opportunity for optimal care.

Analysis of the effect of nursing care based on action research method on the prevention of postoperative lymphedema in breast cancer patients

RATIONALE

In recent times, the pervasive adoption of the action research method has garnered substantial attention both domestically and internationally. Its integration has traversed various domains of nursing research, nursing education, and nursing practice, yielding commendable outcomes. However, a notable gap persists, as this method remains untapped in the realm of nursing care concerning the prevention of postoperative lymphedema in breast cancer patients.

DIAGNOSIS

To employ the action research methodology in the context of patients undergoing axillary lymph node dissection surgery for breast cancer, aiming to investigate its impact on mitigating postoperative lymphedema and assessing its influence on the patient's quality of life, as well as levels of anxiety and depression postoperatively.

INTERVENTION

The study focused on breast cancer patients admitted to our hospital from January 2022 to December 2022. Among them, 44 patients from January to June constituted the control group, while 44 patients from July to December comprised the observation group. Conventional nursing measures were applied to the control group, whereas the observation group received nursing interventions rooted in the action research method. A comparative analysis was conducted between the 2 groups, assessing the incidence of postoperative lymphedema, daily life ability, as well as levels of anxiety and depression.

OUTCOMES

The prevalence of edema was notably reduced in the observation group (20.93%) compared to the control group (42.22%), with a statistically significant difference. Throughout the study, patients in both groups exhibited increased Barthel Index Scale scores from the study's initiation, and the scores for the observation group surpassed those of the control group, reaching statistical significance (P < .05). Furthermore, by the study's conclusion, anxiety and depression scores for patients in both groups were diminished compared to the study's commencement, and the observation group demonstrated significantly lower scores in anxiety and depression compared to the control group (P < .05).

LESSONS

The implementation of nursing care grounded in the action research methodology exhibits a capacity to diminish both the occurrence and intensity of postoperative lymphedema in breast cancer patients. Concurrently, it enhances the patients' daily life functionality and mitigates symptoms of anxiety and depression.

Effect of various photobiomodulation regimens on breast cancer-related lymphedema: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL) is common among patients who have completed their cancer treatment. Although low-level laser therapy (LLLT) has been explored as a treatment option for BCRL, we could not find a regimen that is more effective than others. This meta-analysis aimed to organize existing research and determine the optimal combination of LLLT parameters for BCRL treatment. Studies were collected from four online databases: Embase, Ovid Medline, Cochrane, and Cinahl. The collected studies were reviewed by two of the authors. We focused on the aspects of the treatment area, treatment regimen, and total treatment sessions across the included studies. The comparisons between LLLT and non-LLLT were performed through a meta-analysis. Post-treatment QOL was significantly better in the axillary group. The group treated "three times/week with a laser density of 1.5-2 J/cm2" had significantly better outcomes in terms of swelling reduction, both immediately post-treatment and at 1-3 months follow-ups. The group with > 15 treatment sessions had significantly better post-treatment outcomes regarding reduced swelling and improved grip strength. According to these results, LLLT can relieve the symptoms of BCRL by reducing limb swelling and improving QOL. Further exploration found that a treatment approach targeting the axilla, combined with an increased treatment frequency, appropriate laser density, and extended treatment course, yielded better outcomes. However, further rigorous, large-scale studies, including long-term follow-up, are needed to substantiate this regimen.

Increased infiltration of CD4+ T cell in the complement deficient lymphedema model

BACKGROUND

Lymphedema is an intractable disease that can be caused by injury to lymphatic vessels, such as by surgical treatments for cancer. It can lead to impaired joint mobility in the extremities and reduced quality of life. Chronic inflammation due to infiltration of various immune cells in an area of lymphedema is thought to lead to local fibrosis, but the molecular pathogenesis of lymphedema remains unclear. Development of effective therapies requires elucidation of the immunological mechanisms involved in the progression of lymphedema. The complement system is part of the innate immune system which has a central role in the elimination of invading microbes and acts as a scavenger of altered host cells, such as apoptotic and necrotic cells and cellular debris. Complement-targeted therapies have recently been clinically applied to various diseases caused by complement overactivation. In this context, we aimed to determine whether complement activation is involved in the development of lymphedema.

RESULTS

Our mouse tail lymphedema models showed increased expression of C3, and that the classical or lectin pathway was locally activated. Complement activation was suggested to be involved in the progression of lymphedema. In comparison of the C3 knockout (KO) mouse lymphedema model and wild-type mice, there was no difference in the degree of edema at three weeks postoperatively, but the C3 KO mice had a significant increase of TUNEL+ necrotic cells and CD4+ T cells. Infiltration of macrophages and granulocytes was not significantly elevated in C3 KO or C5 KO mice compared with in wild-type mice. Impaired opsonization and decreased migration of macrophages and granulocytes due to C3 deficiency should therefore induce the accumulation of dead cells and may lead to increased infiltration of CD4+ T cells.

CONCLUSIONS

Vigilance for exacerbation of lymphedema is necessary when surgical treatments have the potential to injure lymphatic vessels in patients undergoing complement-targeted therapies or with complement deficiency. Future studies should aim to elucidate the molecular mechanism of CD4+ T cell infiltration by accumulated dead cells.

The Appraisal of Clinical Practice Guidelines for Breast Cancer-Related Lymphedema

Background: Approaches to screening, assessment, and treatment of breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL) vary widely. We evaluated overall quality of clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) for managing BCRL using the Appraisal of Guidelines for REsearch and Evaluation II (AGREE II) tool, and relevance of consensus recommendations for the Canadian health context. Methods and Results: We searched electronic databases, gray literature, national lymphedema frameworks, and expert opinions, to identify lymphedema CPGs, printed/published from January 2013 to October 2021. Using AGREE II, six health care professionals reviewed CPGs for consensus. Domain-specific AGREE II quality consensus scores were required (≥70% for Rigor of Development; ≥ 60% for Stakeholder Involvement and Editorial Independence; and ≥50% for Clarity of Presentation, Applicability, Scope, and Purpose). Results and overall recommendations from the CPGs were summarized and synthesized. Nine CPGs met inclusion criteria for review. Wide variability of evidence-based recommendations, and limited clinical considerations were found. Scope and Purpose, and Clarity of Presentation were adequate in six of nine CPGs; Stakeholder Involvement in seven of nine CPGs; and Editorial Independence in three of nine CPGs. Across all CPGs, Applicability was minimally reported. Only the Queensland Health CPG met quality consensus scores for Rigor and Development; however, the focus was limited to compression therapy. Conclusions: No CPG reviewed could be adopted for the Canadian health context. The proposed Canadian BCRL CPG will focus on stakeholder engagement, methodology, and implementation/evaluation. Using AGREE II allowed for assessment of quality of methods used to develop identified CPGs from other countries before consideration of adoption in a Canadian Context.

Lymph node metastasis in cancer progression: molecular mechanisms, clinical significance and therapeutic interventions

Lymph nodes (LNs) are important hubs for metastatic cell arrest and growth, immune modulation, and secondary dissemination to distant sites through a series of mechanisms, and it has been proved that lymph node metastasis (LNM) is an essential prognostic indicator in many different types of cancer. Therefore, it is important for oncologists to understand the mechanisms of tumor cells to metastasize to LNs, as well as how LNM affects the prognosis and therapy of patients with cancer in order to provide patients with accurate disease assessment and effective treatment strategies. In recent years, with the updates in both basic and clinical studies on LNM and the application of advanced medical technologies, much progress has been made in the understanding of the mechanisms of LNM and the strategies for diagnosis and treatment of LNM. In this review, current knowledge of the anatomical and physiological characteristics of LNs, as well as the molecular mechanisms of LNM, are described. The clinical significance of LNM in different anatomical sites is summarized, including the roles of LNM playing in staging, prognostic prediction, and treatment selection for patients with various types of cancers. And the novel exploration and academic disputes of strategies for recognition, diagnosis, and therapeutic interventions of metastatic LNs are also discussed.

Complex physical therapy employing self-adjusting garment (ReadyWrap®) in breast cancer-related lymphedema cases in Brazilian women: a protocol for a randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Lymphedema is a common complication following breast cancer treatment. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of a self-adjusting compression garment (ReadyWrap®) in reducing (phase 1) and maintaining (phase 2) upper limb volume in women presenting breast cancer-related lymphedema.

METHODS

This study will comprise a randomized, controlled, single-blind clinical trial concerning women with breast cancer-related lymphedema undergoing treatment at a public cancer treatment reference hospital in the city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The intervention will be carried out by adapting self-dressing versus the standard treatment of compressive bandaging (phase 1) and compressive mesh (phase 2). Both groups will be assessed at the beginning and end of intensive treatment and followed up for up to 12 months to evaluate immediate and late outcomes. Assessments will be carried out by physical upper limb examination (inspection, palpation, volume, dynamometry, and thermography) and questionnaires application to assess patient's quality of life pertaining to the health, functionality, and symptoms of the affected upper limb, as well adverse effects and adherence to treatment. Data will be analyzed descriptively and analytically through univariate and multiple linear regressions. P values < 0.05 will be considered statistically significant.

DISCUSSION

This study will evaluate the effectiveness of a self-adjustable garment (ReadyWrap®) in the treatment of lymphedema secondary to breast cancer in Brazilian women compared to the gold standard treatment for limb volume reduction (phase 1) and maintenance (phase 2) phases comprising, respectively, a compressive bandaging and a compressive mesh. The outcome results will provide data based on both quantitative responses and self-reported participant outcomes. The study will also assess the cost-effectiveness of the ReadyWrap® treatment versus standard care. Finally, we expect to reaffirm one more product/therapy as a treatment for this extremely complex and impactful condition following the data analysis.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

NCT04934098 [Clinical trials phase 1]. Registered on June 22, 2021. NCT04881604 [Clinical trials phase 2]. Registered on May 11, 2021.

Effectiveness of physical exercise programmes in reducing complications associated with secondary lymphoedema to breast cancer: a protocol for an overview of systematic reviews

INTRODUCTION

Breast cancer-related lymphoedema (BCRL) is one of the most underestimated and debilitating complications associated with the treatment that women with breast cancer receive. Several systematic reviews (SRs) of different physical exercise programmes have been published, presenting disperse and contradictory clinical results. Therefore, there is a need for access to the best available and summarised evidence to capture and evaluate all the physical exercise programmes that focus on reducing BCRL.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the effectiveness of different physical exercise programmes in reducing the volume of lymphoedema, pain intensity and improving quality of life.

METHOD AND ANALYSIS

The protocol of this overview is reported following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Protocols, and its methodology is based on Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions. Only those SRs involving physical exercise by patients with BCRL will be included, whether on its own or combined with other exercises or other physical therapy interventions.The outcomes of interest to be considered will be lymphoedema volume, quality of life, pain intensity, grip strength, range of motion, upper limb function and any adverse event. The MEDLINE/PubMed, Lilacs, Cochrane Library, PEDro and Embase databases will be searched for reports published from database inception to April 2023.Two researchers will perform study selection, data extraction and risk of bias assessment independently. Any discrepancy will be resolved by consensus, or ultimately, by a third-party reviewer. We will use Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation System to assess the overall quality of the body of evidence.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

The results of this overview will be published in peer-reviewed scholarly journals and the scientific dissemination will take place in national or international conferences. This study does not require approval from an ethics committee, as it does not directly collect information from patients.

PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER

CRD42022334433.

Advances in the prevention and treatment of breast cancer-related lymphedema

PURPOSE

Breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL) represents a lifelong risk for breast cancer survivors and once acquired becomes a lifelong burden. This review summarizes current BCRL prevention and treatment strategies.

FINDINGS

Risk factors for BCRL have been extensively studied and their identification has affected breast cancer treatment practice, with sentinel lymph node removal now standard of care for patients with early stage breast cancer without sentinel lymph node metastases. Early surveillance and timely management aim to reduce BCRL incidence and progression, and are further facilitated by patient education, which many breast cancer survivors report not having adequately received. Surgical approaches to BCRL prevention include axillary reverse mapping, lymphatic microsurgical preventative healing (LYMPHA) and Simplified LYMPHA (SLYMPHA). Complete decongestive therapy (CDT) remains the standard of care for patients with BCRL. Among CDT components, facilitating manual lymphatic drainage (MLD) using indocyanine green fluorescence lymphography has been proposed. Intermittent pneumatic compression, nonpneumatic active compression devices, and low-level laser therapy appear promising in lymphedema management. Reconstructive microsurgical techniques such as lymphovenous anastomosis and vascular lymph node transfer are growing surgical considerations for patients as well as liposuction-based procedures for addressing fatty fibrosis formation from chronic lymphedema. Long-term self-management adherence remains problematic, and lack of diagnosis and measurement consensus precludes a comparison of outcomes. Currently, no pharmacological approaches have proven successful.

CONCLUSION

Progress in prevention and treatment of BCRL continues, requiring advances in early diagnosis, patient education, expert consensus and novel treatments designed for lymphatic rehabilitation following insults.

Surgical-site infection is associated with increased risk of breast cancer-related lymphedema: A nationwide cohort study

BACKGROUND

Surgical-site infection (SSI) is one of the most common short-term complications following breast cancer treatment and can inhibit lymphatic drainage. It is currently not known whether SSI increases the risk of long-term breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL). Thus, the objective of this study was to examine the association between surgical-site infection and the risk of BCRL METHODS: This nationwide study identified all patients treated for unilateral, primary invasive, nonmetastatic breast cancer in Denmark between January 1, 2007, and December 31, 2016 (n = 37,937). A redemption of antibiotics after breast cancer treatment was used as a disease proxy for SSI, included as a time-varying exposure. The risk of BCRL was analyzed up to 3 years after breast cancer treatment using multivariate Cox regression and adjusted for cancer treatment, demographics, comorbidities, and socioeconomic variables.

RESULTS

There were 10,368 (27.33%) patients with a SSI and 27,569 (72.67%) without a SSI (incidence rate per 100 patients, 33.10 (95%CI, 32.47-33.75). The BCRL incidence rate per 100 person-years for patients with SSI was 6.72 (95%CI: 6.41-7.05) and 4.86 (95%CI: 4.70-5.02) for patients without an SSI. There was an overall significant increased risk of BCRL in patients with an SSI (adjusted HR, 1.11; 95%CI: 1.04-1.17), with the highest risk 3 years after breast cancer treatment (adjusted HR, 1.28; 95%CI: 1.08-1.51) CONCLUSION: This large nationwide cohort study showed that SSI was associated with an overall 10% increased risk of BCRL. These findings may be used to identify patients at high risk of BCRL that would benefit from enhanced BCRL surveillance.

Treatment of Breast Cancer-Related Lymphedema With Topical Tacrolimus: A Prospective, Open-Label, Single-Arm, Phase II Pilot Trial

PURPOSE

Breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL) is a chronic, progressive side effect of breast cancer treatment, occurring in one-third of patients treated with axillary lymph node dissection and nodal radiotherapy. Cluster of differentiation 4-positive (CD4⁺) cells plays a key role in BCRL by facilitating inflammation and inhibiting lymphangiogenesis. Tacrolimus is an anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive macrolide that targets CD4⁺ cells. Treatment of lymphedema with topical tacrolimus has revealed promising results in preclinical trials. This clinical trial was aimed at evaluating the feasibility, safety, and effect of tacrolimus in women with stage I or II BCRL, according to the International Society of Lymphology.

METHODS

We conducted this open-label, single-arm, phase II pilot trial from September 2020 to April 2021. Eighteen women with BCRL stage I or II BCRL were treated with topical tacrolimus for 6 months and followed up at 3 and 6 months. The primary outcome was arm volume, and secondary outcomes were the lymphedema index (L-Dex), health-related quality of life (HRQoL), lymph flow and function, and safety and feasibility of the trial design.

RESULTS

The mean lymphedema arm volume and L-Dex reduced significantly by 130.44 ± 210.13 mL (p < 0.05; relative reduction: 3.6%) and 3.54 ± 4.98 (p < 0.05), respectively, and health-related quality of life scores was improved significantly (p < 0.05). According to the MD Anderson scale, in terms of lymph flow and function, three patients (16.7%) showed improvement, while none showed worsening. Lymph flow or function showed no change according to the Arm Dermal Backflow scale.

CONCLUSION

In this trial, treatment with tacrolimus was safe and feasible in women with stage I or II BCRL. Tacrolimus alleviated BCRL in terms of improved arm volume, L-Dex, and HRQoL. Assessments of lymph flow and function were positive, although inconclusive. Larger randomized controlled trials are required to verify these findings.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04541290.

Guidelines Relevant to Diagnosis, Assessment, and Management of Lymphedema: A Systematic Review

Significance: Lymphedema is a common, distressing and debilitating condition with various etiologies. Effective diagnosis, assessment, and management rely on evidence-based clinical practice guidelines ("guidelines"). This study aims to describe and compare international guidelines on lymphedema diagnosis, assessment, and management. Recent Advances: The review was conducted according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, and registered on the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO). Systematic searches of electronic literature databases and the web were completed in December 2020 for lymphedema guidelines published in English since 2000. Quality was assessed using the Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation (AGREE)-II reporting checklist. Synthesis took a narrative approach to compare guideline recommendations and associated levels of evidence. Critical Issues: This systematic review of 1,564 articles and 159 web pages yielded 14 guidelines. All guidelines were from high-income countries. Ten focused exclusively on lymphedema, and four on cancer. Most (n = 13) guidelines recommended an integrated medical, psychological assessment, and physical examination, with a limb volume measurement of >10% in the affected limb compared, confirming a lymphedema diagnosis. Recommended management involved Complex Decongestive Therapy (CDT) followed by self-management using skincare, self-lymphatic drainage massage, exercise, and compression. Future Directions: The underlying etiology of lymphedema appeared to make little difference to guideline recommendations regarding care. High-quality guidelines are available to guide lymphedema care. However, their suitability for low-resource settings is unclear.

Risk factors for arm lymphedema following breast cancer surgery: a Japanese nationwide database study of 84,022 patients

BACKGROUND

Although arm lymphedema is a well-known complication following breast cancer surgery, previous studies involving a small population showed inconsistent results regarding the risk. Therefore, we examined the risk factors using a Japanese nationwide database.

METHODS

Female patients who underwent breast cancer surgery from April, 2016, to March, 2020, were identified from a Japanese nationwide database. Multivariable survival analyses for 19 baseline factors (12 patient characteristics, four tumor characteristics, and three surgical procedures) were conducted to investigate risk factors associated with treatments for postoperative lymphedema (such as lymphatic bypass, compositive drainage therapy, hospitalization, and Kampo use) with a multilevel model to adjust for within-hospital clustering. We also conducted multivariable analysis for five postoperative factors (two local complications and three postoperative therapies) with adjustment for 19 baseline factors.

RESULTS

The study included 84,022 patients; 1547 (1.8%) received treatments for lymphedema during a median follow-up of 119 weeks (interquartile range, 59-187 weeks). Young age, obesity, smoking, collagen diseases, advanced cancer stage, total mastectomy, axillary dissection, postoperative bleeding, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy were identified as risk factors. Postoperative chemotherapy (hazard ratio, 3.78 [95% confidence interval, 3.35-4.26]) and axillary dissection (2.46 [1.95-3.11]) showed the highest odds ratio among the risk factors. The cumulative probabilities in high-risk patients reached approximately 3% at 1 year and 6% at 4 years after surgery.

CONCLUSIONS

This study identified several risk factors for postoperative lymphedema in breast cancer surgery. The treatment initiation increased markedly within the first year and gradually after 1 year post-surgery.

Development of the Breast Cancer Related Lymphedema Self-Care Scale

The purpose of study was to develop the Breast Cancer Related Lymphedema Self-Care Scale to evaluate the self-care practices of women with breast cancer-related lymphedema (BRCL); and to examine the psycholinguistic and psychometric characteristics of this scale. The item pool of the scale was created based on the literature in this descriptive study. Content validity, explanatory and confirmatory factor analyses used in evaluation of the validity; and item analyzes, the Cronbach's Alpha and Split Half analyzes were made for reliability in the study. The content validity index was found to be above 0.80. In the Explanatory Factor Analysis, a four-factor structure was obtained. In Confirmatory Factor Analysis, fit indices were found to be acceptable. Cronbach's Alpha coefficients of the sub-dimensions of the scale varied between 0.62 and 0.86. It was determined the Breast Cancer Related Lymphedema Self-Care Scale was a valid and reliable scale for women with BRCL.

The prevention and treatment of breast cancer- related lymphedema: A review

Background

Breast cancer- related lymphedema (BCRL) affects about 3 to 5 million patients worldwide, with about 20,000 per year in the United States. As breast cancer mortality is declining due to improved diagnostics and treatments, the long-term effects of treatment for BCRL need to be addressed.

Methods

The American Society of Breast Surgeons Lymphatic Surgery Working Group conducted a large review of the literature in order to develop guidelines on BCRL prevention and treatment. This was a comprehensive but not systematic review of the literature. This was inclusive of recent randomized controlled trials, meta-analyses, and reviews evaluating the prevention and treatment of BCRL. There were 25 randomized clinical trials, 13 systemic reviews and meta-analyses, and 87 observational studies included.

Results

The findings of our review are detailed in the paper, with each guideline being analyzed with the most recent data that the group found evidence of to suggest these recommendations.

Conclusions

Prevention and treatment of BCRL involve a multidisciplinary team. Early detection, before clinically apparent, is crucial to prevent irreversible lymphedema. Awareness of risk factors and appropriate practice adjustments to reduce the risk aids are crucial to decrease the progression of lymphedema. The treatment can be costly, time- consuming, and not always effective, and therefore, the overall goal should be prevention.

Sun-burn induced upper limb lymphedema 11 years following breast cancer surgery: A case report

BACKGROUND

Upper arm lymphedema is a common complication one year after breast cancer surgery, which profoundly impacts patients' quality of life.

CASE SUMMARY

We reported a case of lymphedema induced by prolonged sun exposure 11 years after breast cancer surgery.

CONCLUSION

Breast screening, patient education and follow-up after hospital discharge could help to prevent upper-arm lymphedema.

Overview of Lymphedema for Physicians and Other Clinicians: A Review of Fundamental Concepts

Lymphedema has historically been underrated in clinical practice, education, and scholarship to the detriment of many patients with this chronic, debilitating condition. The mechanical insufficiency of the lymphatic system causes the abnormal accumulation of protein-rich fluid in the interstitium, which triggers a cascade of adverse consequences such as fat deposition and fibrosis. As the condition progresses, patients present with extremity heaviness, itchiness, skin infections, and, in later stages, dermal fibrosis, skin papillomas, acanthosis, and other trophic skin changes. Correspondingly, lymphedema results in psychological morbidity, including anxiety, depression, social avoidance, and a decreased quality of life, encompassing emotional, functional, physical, and social domains. For this review, we conducted a literature search using PubMed and EMBASE and herein summarize the evidence related to the fundamental concepts of lymphedema. This article aims to raise awareness of this serious condition and outline and review the fundamental concepts of lymphedema.

Long-term patency of multiple lymphatic-venous anastomoses in cancer-related lymphedema: A single center observational study

OBJECTIVES

Lymphedema is always initially treated by combined decongestive physiotherapy (CDP). Those cases, refractory to CDP, may be managed by surgical therapy. One of the most used microsurgical procedures is represented by the technique of lymphatic-venous anastomosis (LVA). But very few papers report long term results of LVA. The aim of this study is to assess the long-term patency of multiple lymphatic-venous anastomosis (MLVA) for the treatment of secondary lymphedemas.

METHODS

From January 2014 to December 2014, 101 patients (mean age: 56.94 ± 8.98 years; female/male: 86/15) affected by secondary cancer-related lymphedema (38 lower and 63 upper limbs) were treated by MLVA. All lymphedemas had previously been treated by conservative therapy without sustained results. Many patients (78%) had 1-3 episodes of acute lymphangitis/year. Lymphoscintigraphy, venous duplex-ultrasonography, and abdominal or axillary ultrasound investigation were performed preoperatively. MLVA patency was assessed by the lymphatic transport index (LyTI) and lymphoscintigraphic pattern.

RESULTS

At 1 year after surgery, excess volume reduction was 75%-90% in the early stage II secondary lymphedemas, and 60%-75% in the late stage II. The decrease in volume maintained stability in the 5-years follow-up period. Two more advanced lower and one upper limb lymphedemas had 45%-60% reduction. LyTI showed a significant decrease between the preoperative mean value (31.7 ± 9.43) and after 18 months from surgery (11.2 ± 1.91) (p < .001). MLVA patency was shown in 98 (97%) patients. No patients had evidence of postoperative lymphangitis.

CONCLUSIONS

This study demonstrated the long-term patency of MLVA in the treatment of cancer-related lymphedemas.

Analysis of the Understanding and Worry about Lymphedema of Patients with Breast Cancer

BACKGROUND

Lymphedema is a potential lifelong sequela of breast cancer treatment. We sought to: (1) evaluate the worry and knowledge of patients about lymphedema, (2) quantify patients reporting lymphedema education and screening, and (3) determine willingness to participate in lymphedema screening and prevention programs.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A survey evaluating lymphedema-related knowledge and worry was sent to patients treated for stage 0-III breast cancer. Exclusion criteria included > 10 years since diagnosis, missing clinical staging, and those without axillary surgery. Responses were linked with clinicopathologic information.

RESULTS

Of 141 patients meeting inclusion criteria, 89% of those without lymphedema were not at all or slightly worried about lymphedema. Higher levels of worry were associated with clinical stage II-III disease [odds ratio (OR) 2.63, p = 0.03], a history of axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) (OR 4.58, p < 0.01), and employment (OR 2.21, p = 0.05). A total of 102 (72%) patients recalled receiving lymphedema education. Lymphedema knowledge was limited, with < 25% of respondents answering > 50% of the risk factor questions correctly. Worry and knowledge were not significantly associated. Of patients without lymphedema, 36% were interested in learning more about lymphedema and 64% were willing to participate in or learn more about a screening program. Most (66%) felt that lymphedema information should be provided before and after cancer treatment.

DISCUSSION

A majority of our breast cancer survivors had limited knowledge about lymphedema risk factors. While most patients were not worried about developing lymphedema, higher worry was seen in patients with a higher clinical stage at diagnosis, ALND, and employment. Our findings suggest potential targets and timing for patient-centered educational interventions.

Current Advancements in Animal Models of Postsurgical Lymphedema: A Systematic Review

Significance: Secondary lymphedema is a debilitating disease caused by lymphatic dysfunction characterized by chronic swelling, dysregulated inflammation, disfigurement, and compromised wound healing. Since there is no effective cure, animal model systems that support basic science research into the mechanisms of secondary lymphedema are critical to advancing the field. Recent Advances: Over the last decade, lymphatic research has led to the improvement of existing animal lymphedema models and the establishment of new models. Although an ideal model does not exist, it is important to consider the strengths and limitations of currently available options. In a systematic review adhering to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, we present recent developments in the field of animal lymphedema models and provide a concise comparison of ease, cost, reliability, and clinical translatability. Critical Issues: The incidence of secondary lymphedema is increasing, and there is no gold standard of treatment or cure for secondary lymphedema. Future Directions: As we iterate and create animal models that more closely characterize human lymphedema, we can achieve a deeper understanding of the pathophysiology and potentially develop effective therapeutics for patients.

Immediate Lymphatic Reconstruction to Prevent Breast Cancer-Related Lymphedema: A Systematic Review

Significance: Lymphedema is chronic limb swelling from lymphatic dysfunction. The condition affects up to 250 million people worldwide. In breast cancer patients, lymphedema occurs in 30% who undergo axillary lymph node dissection (ALND). Recent Advances: Immediate lymphatic reconstruction (ILR), also termed Lymphatic Microsurgical Preventing Healing Approach (LyMPHA), is a method to decrease the risk of lymphedema by performing prophylactic lymphovenous anastomoses at the time of ALND. The objective of this study is to assess the risk reduction of ILR in preventing lymphedema. Critical Issues: Lymphedema has significant effects on the quality of life and morbidity of patients. Several techniques have been described to manage lymphedema after development, but prophylactic treatment of lymphedema with ILR may decrease risk of development to 6.6%. Future Directions: Long-term studies that demonstrate efficacy of ILR may allow for prophylactic management of lymphedema in the patient undergoing lymph node dissection.

Prevention, Diagnosis, and Management of Upper Extremity Lymphedema Complications: Altmetric Analysis of Online Media

Background:

Traditional citation-based metrics do not capture the dissemination of upper extremity lymphedema (UEL) research that occurs online and in mainstream media. There is limited literature reporting the most impactful UEL articles based on citation rate and/or online mentions. We sought to use the Altmetric Attention Score (AAS) to determine the most impactful UEL articles in online media and to report trends in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of complications.

Methods:

The Altmetric database was queried to identify all published articles regarding the management, diagnosis, and prevention of complications seen in the setting of UEL. Extracted data points included article topic and type, journal, and number of online mentions on several platforms.

Results:

Our index search yielded 638 studies published between 2000 and 2021. Fifty articles with the highest AAS scores were included for analysis. The median AAS was 27.5, but the top four articles had AAS scores that were substantially higher (AAS ≥ 334) than all other studies. Of the top 50 articles, 68% (34/50) were original research. Of those, 23.5% (8/34) were randomized control trials. The most common article topic was the treatment of UEL (36%; 18/50) followed by diagnostic methods of UEL (30%; 15/50). There were a total of 1156 Twitter mentions (median:14) for the top 50 articles. Of all media platforms, news mentions correlated most strongly with AAS (R² = 0.99, P < 0.001).

Conclusions:

Our findings suggest that alternative metrics measure distinct components of article impact and add an important dimension to understanding the overall impact of published research on UEL.

Update to the Canadian clinical practice guideline for best-practice management of breast cancer-related lymphedema: study protocol

BACKGROUND

One of the more frequent complications following treatment for breast cancer, lymphedema is a substantial swelling of the arm, breast and chest wall that occurs on the side where lymph nodes were removed. The aim of this work is to update recommendations on the prevention, diagnosis and management of lymphedema related to breast cancer.

METHODS

We present the protocol for an update of the 2001 clinical practice guideline on lymphedema from the Steering Committee for Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Care and Treatment of Breast Cancer. We will use a patient-oriented research approach with a focus on self-management and the positive health model to inform the updated guideline development. The methods proposed will be undertaken with consideration of the standards outlined in the Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation II (AGREE II) instrument. The literature will be appraised by evaluating existing guidelines from other countries, the evidence from systematic reviews and meta-analyses and direct evidence from clinical studies. We will manage competing interests according to Guidelines International Network principles. Recommendations will be presented using an actionable statement format and will be linked to the level of evidence along with any relevant considerations used in formulation. A draft of the guideline will be produced by the steering committee then sent out to international experts and stakeholder groups for feedback.

INTERPRETATION

The primary benefit of this clinical guideline will be to improve the quality of care of women with breast cancer-related lymphedema. Findings will be disseminated at national and international conferences and through webinars and educational videos hosted on the websites of the supporting organizations.

Primary lymphedema of breast, a case report

Introduction

Lymphedema affects the extremities of breast cancer patients post-surgical or radiation therapy. This study aims to report a case of primary lymphedema of breast.

Case presentation

A 41-year-old female presented with right breast swelling. It associated with hotness and intermittent mastalgia for the past 8 years. Ultrasound (US) examination showed diffuse trabeculate, skin thickening and edematous with normal glandular tissue. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed diffuse homogeneous parenchymal enhancements with diffuse tranecular and skin edema (high signal on Short-TI Inversion Recovery (STIR)). The result of the biopsy showed normal breast tissue and lymph node.

Discussion

The major risk factors of lymphedema are breast cancer surgery, radiation therapy, axillary lymph node dissection, length and location of breast incision, taking biopsy, trauma, wound infection. Forearm is the most common site of swelling. Primary lymphedema of the breast is a very rare condition without a known risk factor.

Conclusion

Although it is rare, primary lymphedema can affect the breast. US and MRI are necessary to exclude other pathologies. It is managed conservatively.

•

Lymphedema mainly develops in breast cancer patients post-operatively.

•

Usually affects the extremities and rarely occur in the breast

•

It is characterized by the accumulation of extracellular fluid.

•

In this paper, a case of breast lymphedema has been discussed.

Breast Surgery: Management of Postoperative Complications Following Operations for Breast Cancer

Breast cancer surgery is associated with low rates of surgical morbidity. Postoperative complications related to breast surgery include seroma, infection, hematoma, mastectomy flap necrosis, wound dehiscence, persistent postsurgical pain, Mondor disease, fat necrosis, reduced tactile sensation after mastectomy, and venous thromboembolism. Postoperative complications related to axillary surgery include seroma, infection, lymphedema, nerve injury, and reduced shoulder/arm mobility. The overall rate of complication related to axilla surgery may be confounded by the type of breast surgery performed. The management of postoperative complications related to oncologic breast and axillary surgery independent of reconstruction is reviewed here.

Breast cancer-related lymphedema and quality of life: A qualitative analysis over years of survivorship

OBJECTIVES

The study purpose was to examine perspectives of women with newly diagnosed breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL) regarding their quality of life over seven years.

METHOD

Data were collected over seven years using the Lymphedema and Breast Cancer Questionnaire (LBCQ). Participants with BCRL answered open-ended questions corresponding to changes in mood and lifestyle from post-op through annual interviews and surveys. Self-reported data from 97 participants with BCRL were analyzed using in vivo coding and template-style content analysis to elicit the impact of BCRL on quality of life domains.

RESULTS

Data saturation was achieved as participants neared 30 to 36 months post- breast cancer diagnosis. Three major themes were identified related to BCRL's impact on: physical function; daily living and social function; and psychological function.

DISCUSSION

Findings suggest that BCRL impacts quality of life not only soon after diagnosis, but also throughout survivorship years. Healthcare providers should develop programs to enhance quality of life for survivors with BCRL.

American Society of Breast Surgeons' Practice Patterns for Patients at Risk and Affected by Breast Cancer-Related Lymphedema

BACKGROUND

In 2017, the American Society of Breast Surgeons (ASBrS) published expert panel recommendations for patients at risk for breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL) and those affected by BCRL. This study sought to determine BCRL practice patterns.

METHODS

A survey was sent to 2975 ASBrS members. Questions evaluated members' clinical practice type, practice duration, and familiarity with BCRL recommendations. Descriptive statistics, the chi-square test, and Fisher's exact test were used.

RESULTS

Of the ASBrS members surveyed, 390 (13.1%) responded. Most of the breast surgeons (58.5%, 228/390) indicated unfamiliarity with recommendations. Nearly all respondents (98.7%, 385/390) educate at-risk patients. Most (60.2%, 234/389) instruct patients to avoid venipuncture, injection or blood pressure measurements in the at-risk arm, and 35.6% (138/388) recommend prophylactic compression sleeve use during air travel. Nearly all (97.7%, 380/389) encourage those at-risk to exercise, including resistance exercise (86.2%, 331/384). Most do not perform axillary reverse mapping (ARM) (67.9%, 264/389) or a lymphatic preventive healing approach (LYMPHA) (84.9%, 331/390). Most (76.1%, 296/389) screen at-risk patients for BCRL. The most frequently used screening tools include self-reported symptoms (81%, 255/315), circumferential tape measure (54%, 170/315) and bioimpedance spectroscopy (27.3%, 86/315). After a BCRL diagnosis, most (90%, 351/390) refer management to a lymphedema-certified physical therapist. For affected patients, nearly all encourage exercise (98.7%, 384/389). Many (49%, 191/390) refer affected patients for consideration of lymphovenous bypass or lymph node transfer.

CONCLUSION

Most respondents were unfamiliar with the ASBrS expert panel recommendations for patients at risk for BCRL and those affected by BCRL. Opportunities exist to increase awareness of best practices and to acquire ARM and LYMPHA technical expertise.

Ipsilateral Intravenous Catheter Placement in Breast Cancer Surgery Patients

BACKGROUND

There is a continued perception that intravenous line (IV) placement is contraindicated in the arm ipsilateral to prior breast cancer surgery to avoid breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL). The aim of this retrospective study was to determine the risk for development of BCRL in ipsilateral arm IV placement compared to contralateral arm IV placement to prior breast cancer surgery.

METHODS

We performed a retrospective review, via our Integrated Clinical Systems and Epic Electronic Heath Record of IV placement for anesthesia and surgery in patients with a prior history of breast cancer surgery with or without axillary lymph node dissection. Complication rates were compared for IVs placed in the ipsilateral and contralateral arms. We identified 3724 patients undergoing 7896 IV placements between January 1, 2015, and May 5, 2018, with a prior history of breast cancer surgery via their index anesthesia and surgical procedures.

RESULTS

The median time from breast cancer surgery to IV placement was 1.5 years (range, 1 day to 17.8 years). Of 2743 IVs placed in the arm contralateral to prior breast cancer surgery, 2 had a complication, corresponding to an incidence of 7.3 per 10,000 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.9-26.3 per 10,000). Of 5153 IVs placed in the arm ipsilateral to prior breast cancer surgery, 2 IVs had a complication, for an incidence of 3.9 per 10,000 (95% CI, 0.5-14.0 per 10,000). The frequency of complications was not found to differ significantly between the groups (P = .91), and the 95% CI for the risk difference (ipsilateral minus contralateral) was -23 to +8 complications per 10,000. The complication rate is similar when only the first IV placed following breast cancer surgery is considered (overall 5.4 per 10,000 [95% CI, 0.7-19.4] per 10,000; contralateral 7.0 [95% CI, 0.2-39.0] per 10,000, ipsilateral 4.4 [95% CI, 0.1-24.2] per 10,000; P = 1.00; 95% CI for risk difference [ipsilateral minus contralateral], -41 to +22 per 10,000).

CONCLUSIONS

We found very few complications in patients who had an IV placed for surgery following a previous breast cancer surgery and no complications in those patients with IV placement ipsilateral with axillary node dissection. Avoidance of IV placement in the arm ipsilateral to breast cancer surgery is not necessary.

Breast cancer-related upper limb lymphoedema: an overview

Breast cancer-related lymphoedema can be commonly encountered within a community nurse's role. The severity of lymphoedema can range considerably, from those who are considered 'at risk' due to breast cancer treatment, to individuals with highly complex oedema from advanced disease. This article provides an overview of breast cancer-related lymphoedema, including the risk factors for developing lymphoedema and the impact lymphoedema has physically, psychologically and socially. The treatments for lymphoedema, including clinical practical advice and skills, are presented to support ongoing personal development. A collaborative approach between community nurses and lymphoedema clinics is recommended to ensure that patients receive the best care possible.

Prevention of Breast Cancer-Related Lymphedema

Tremendous progress has been made over the past several decades in the treatment of breast cancer. Mortality and recurrence rates continue to decline. Our ability to tailor patient- and tumor-specific treatments has rapidly advanced. The vast majority of our patients can safely have breast conservation. Unfortunately, for many patients, survivorship is burdened by ongoing quality-of-life issues. Most breast cancer patients are asymptomatic at presentation, and the onus is on us to preserve this. Surgery, radiation, and systemic therapy can result in long-term toxicities that can be amplified with multimodality approaches. We must strive to apply minimally effective therapies rather than a maximally tolerated approach. Breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL) is a particularly dreaded chronic complication. This review strives to give the reader a better understanding of BCRL and shed light on wisely choosing an integration of treatment modalities that minimizes BCRL risk. Key literature on emerging concepts is highlighted.

Use of technology to facilitate a prospective surveillance program for breast cancer-related lymphedema at the Massachusetts General Hospital

Breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL) is a negative sequela of breast cancer (BC) caused by trauma to the lymphatic system during surgery or radiation to the axillary lymph nodes. BCRL affects approximately one in five patients treated for BC, and patients are at a lifelong risk for BCRL after treatment. Early diagnosis of BCRL may prevent its progression and reduce negative effects on quality of life, necessitating comprehensive prospective screening. This paper provides an overview of technology that may be used as part of a BCRL screening program, including objective measures such as perometry, bioimpedance spectroscopy, tissue tonometry, and three-dimensional optical imaging. Furthermore, this paper comprehensively reviews the technology incorporated into the established prospective screening program at Massachusetts General Hospital. Our prospective screening program consists of longitudinal measurements via perometry, symptoms assessment, and clinical examination by a certified lymphedema therapist (CLT) as needed. Discussion about use of perometry within the screening program and incorporation of arm volume measurements into equations to determine change over time and accurate diagnosis is included [relative volume change (RVC) and weight-adjusted change (WAC) equations]. Use of technology throughout the program is discussed, including a HIPPA-compliant online research database, the patient's electronic medical record, and incorporation of BCRL-related symptoms [BC and lymphedema symptom experience index (BCLE-SEI) survey]. Ultimately, both subjective and objective data are used to inform BCRL diagnosis and treatment by the CLT. In conclusion, the role of technology in facilitating BCRL screening is indispensable, and the continued development of objective assessment methods that are not only reliable and valid, but also cost-effective and portable will help establish BCRL screening as the standard of care for patients treated for BC.

Effects of 12 weeks of water aerobics on body composition in those affected by breast cancer

Exercise may prevent changes in body composition and provide an effective means of improving the side effects of treatment without causing lymphedema.

PURPOSE

Test the effectiveness of a 12-week water aerobics program on body composition and lymphedema risk in breast cancer survivors.

METHODS

Body composition analysis was completed at weeks 0, 6, and 12 weeks.

RESULTS

Ten females completed all testing. Baseline subject characteristics were as follows: age (59.40 ± 8.22 years), weight (169.91 ± 41.70 lbs), body fat percent (%BF) (40.15 ± 9.84%), body fat mass (BFM) (71.27 ± 31.50 lbs), lean body mass (LBM) (98.66 ± 13.24 lbs), skeletal muscle mass (SMM) (53.17 ± 8.09 lbs), intracellular water (ICW) (44.24 ± 6.18 lbs), and extracellular water (ECW) (28.91 ± 3.62 lbs). One-way ANOVA showed no statistically significant differences over time as determined for weight (F(2.27) = 0.002, P = 0.96), %BF (F(2.27) = 0.004, P = 0.97), BFM (F(2.27) = 0.001, P = 0.97), LBM (F(2.27) = 0.013, P = 0.95), SMM (F(2.27) = 0.027, P = 0.91), ICW (F(2.27) = 0.021, P = 0.93), and ECW (F(2.27) = 0.01, P = 0.94) across the 12 weeks.

CONCLUSIONS

A water aerobics program for 12 weeks was not enough to observe changes in body composition nor did it increase the risk for lymphedema and may be a safe exercise method for breast cancer survivors.

Advances and current concepts in reconstructive surgery for breast cancer

In this article, we report on recent advancements in reconstructive care of the breast cancer patient. New developments in sensate breast reconstruction to help address the problem of numbness after mastectomy have emerged and show promise. Methods to restore lymphatic physiologic flow after axillary lymphadenectomy using supermicrosurgical techniques have begun to show benefit by reducing the short-term incidence of breast cancer related lymphedema (BRCL). Breast implant safety has received significant recent attention and we explore the emergence of BIA-ALCL (Breast Implant Associated Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma) and its implications for the breast cancer patient and their multidisciplinary care team.

Correlation of disease comorbidity with prescribed treatment among insured U.S. lymphedema patients

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study was to define the current forms of treatment in a contemporary population of lymphedema (LED) patients for LED related to breast cancer, the most prevalently diagnosed LED comorbidity in Western countries, and phlebolymphedema with venous leg ulcer (PLEDU), a sequela of chronic venous disease. The goals of LED therapy are to reduce edema, thereby improving function and related symptoms, and to improve skin integrity to prevent development of infection. Treatment is generally nonsurgical: conservative care, including complex physical therapy, manual lymphatic drainage, and compression bandaging; or pneumatic compression device (PCD) therapy by a simple nonprogrammable device or an advanced programmable device.

METHODS

To determine the frequency of individual types of treatment for LED and their relationship to breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL) and PLEDU, we queried claims from a deidentified Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act-compliant commercial administrative insurance database with >165 million members. A total of 26,902 patients identified with LED who had been enrolled with continuous medical benefits for 12 months before and after the index date for the complete years 2012 through 2016 were separated into four treatment categories: no treatment, conservative care, simple PCD (SPCD), and advanced PCD. LED treatment was related to the BCRL and PLEDU comorbidities.

RESULTS

BCRL patients, who represented 32.1% of all study patients, made up 41% of all patients receiving conservative care and 24% of patients receiving PCD therapy. By contrast, PLEDU patients (9.6% of study patients) were proportionally under-represented in the conservative care group (7.8%) but composed a disproportionately high share of the PCD therapy group (17.7%). PLEDU patients represented 23.5% of all LED patients prescribed SPCD therapy, whereas BCRL patients composed 10.3% of total LED patient SPCD prescriptions (P < .001).

CONCLUSIONS

Our analysis of a large health care administrative database showed clear differences between the way BCRL and PLEDU patients are treated. Compared with BCRL patients, PLEDU patients were less likely to receive conservative care and more likely to be prescribed SPCDs for pneumatic compression therapy. These differences suggest that lymphatic therapy may be undervalued for treatment of chronic venous swelling and prevention and treatment of PLEDU.

Re-augmentation of the Axilla Using a Turn-Over Flap - a New Approach for the Surgical Treatment of Secondary Lymphedema After Breast Cancer

Introduction Scarring and volume reduction of the axillary space resulting in persistent lymphedema is a side effect of axillary treatment in breast cancer patients. The aim of this paper is to describe the reduction of lymphedema achieved with a turnover flap.

Materials and Methods Between October 2016 and May 2018, five patients with grade 2 lymphedema following breast cancer therapy underwent reconstructive surgery with a turnover flap. Complete excision of the symptomatic axillary scar tissue followed by re-augmentation using a turnover flap was performed. Subsequently, all patients underwent breast reconstruction using a distant flap reconnected to the thoracodorsal vessels. The circumference of both arms, quality of life and pain were measured before and after surgery.

Results An average reduction in pain in the ipsilateral arm from 6 to 1 on the numerical scale as well as an improvement in quality of life (2.8 vs. 7.0) was observed. A decrease in lymphedema especially in the upper arm was identified. No complications such as secondary bleeding, infections or flap loss were observed.

Conclusion Complete removal of the axillary scar tissue after breast cancer treatment and re-augmentation of the axilla with a turnover flap results in a reduction in ipsilateral lymphedema and an improvement in pain and quality of life. We interpret these findings as a result of the physiological re-alignment of the lymphatic vessels combined with a lymph node-containing local transposition flap. Therefore, re-augmentation with a turnover flap could be an effective non-microsurgical alternative to lymph node transplantation.