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Factors influencing response to lymphedema treatment in patients with breast cancer-related lymphedema

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Abstract

Purpose

In clinical practice, noticeable differences are seen in patient response to the treatment of breast cancer-related lymphedema. Although some factors influencing response to treatment are mentioned in the literature, there is no sufficient evidence and results are confusing. For this reason, our objective in this study is to identify predictive and response-related factors for response to treatment of breast cancer-related lymphedema.

Methods

We analyzed data retrospectively from the files of patients with breast cancer-related lymphedema between 2006 and 2012. Patient demographics, clinical variables, and patient variables were recorded. Circumference measurements of lymphedema and healthy arms were recorded. We used a computer program (Limb Volumes Professional version 5.0) to transform these values to limb volumes in milliliters.

Results

The average age of 331 patients was 54.4 ± 10.9. The average length of lymphedema treatment was 2.92 ± 1.3 weeks. A statistically significant positive correlation was found between postoperative weight gain and postoperative duration, number of chemotherapy (CT) cycles, duration of tamoxifen use, and duration of hormonal therapy (p < 0.05). There was a statistically significant negative correlation between posttreatment arm volume and activity level, postoperative duration, and postoperative weight gain (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

The treatment methods used for treating breast cancer had no effect on the response to treatment of lymphedema. Weight gain during the treatment of breast cancer is important for both the development of lymphedema and the response to treatment. When treating breast cancer-related lymphedema, the relationship between activity level and postoperative weight gain may provide us guidance in clinical practice.

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Abbreviations

CDT:

Complete decongestive therapy

RT:

Radiation therapy

CT:

Chemotherapy

PEV:

Percentage of excess volume

VL:

Lymphedema arm

VH:

Healthy arm

PREV:

Percent reduction in excess volume

BMI:

Body mass index

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Support

We have not received any financial support for this research.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that there are no conflicts of interest.

Author’s contributions

S. Eyigor performed the conception and design, acquisition of data, analysis and interpretation of data, drafting the article and revising, and final approval of the version.

E. Cinar performed the acquisition of data, analysis and interpretation of data, drafting the article, and final approval of the version.

I. Caramat and B. Koc performed the acquisition of data, analysis and interpretation of data, final approval of the version.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Medicine Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Department, Tulay Aktas Oncology Hospital, Supportive Care Unit, Ege University, Bornova, 35100, Izmir, Turkey

    Sibel Eyigör

  2. Faculty of Medicine Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Department, Ege University, İzmir, Turkey

    Ece Cinar, Ismail Caramat & Burcu Koc Unlu

Authors
  1. Sibel Eyigör
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  2. Ece Cinar
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  3. Ismail Caramat
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  4. Burcu Koc Unlu
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Correspondence to Sibel Eyigör.

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Eyigör, S., Cinar, E., Caramat, I. et al. Factors influencing response to lymphedema treatment in patients with breast cancer-related lymphedema. Support Care Cancer 23, 2705–2710 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-015-2633-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-015-2633-9

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