Breast Cancer-Related Lymphedema: A Common Challenge among Nigerian Breast Cancer Survivors.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Lymphedema is one of the most prevalent yet under-recognized complication of breast cancer treatment, with its prevalence largely unexplored in Nigeria and across much of sub-Saharan Africa.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted among breast cancer survivors at least 6 months post-mastectomy and axillary lymph node dissection. Lymphedema was diagnosed using multiple methods: patient-reported arm swelling, arm measurements (≥2 cm difference compared to the contralateral arm), a >10% difference in extracellular water (ECW) using bioimpedance analysis, and a lower threshold of 5% to capture subclinical lymphedema. Using patient report as the gold standard, the accuracy of the various diagnostic methods was assessed. The relationship between clinical variables

SUBMITTER: Olasehinde O 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12503884 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature