Nguyen et al identified risk factors for breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL) of the upper extremity. These can help to identify patients who may benefit from more aggressive management. The authors are from the Mayo Clinic in Rochester.
Patient selection: breast cancer, Stages 0 to III
The cumulative risk of BRCL was greater at 5 years compared to at 2 years.
Risk factors for lymphedema of the upper extremity:
(1) Stage III > Stage II > Stage 0 or I
(2) body mass index (BMI) >= 25 kg per square meter
(3) chemotherapy
(4) radiation therapy in patients with axillary node dissection
(5) axillary lymph node dissection
where:
• Decisions for chemotherapy and radiation therapy might be linked to Stage.
A patient with multiple risk factors may benefit from closer monitoring and more aggressive management.
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