Impact of adjuvant taxane-based chemotherapy on development of breast cancer-related lymphedema: results from a large prospective cohort.

ABSTRACT: Taxane-based chemotherapy for the treatment of breast cancer is associated with fluid retention in the extremities; however, its association with development of breast cancer-related lymphedema is unclear. We sought to determine if adjuvant taxane-based chemotherapy increased risk of lymphedema or mild swelling of the upper extremity. 1121 patients with unilateral breast cancer were prospectively screened for lymphedema with perometer measurements. Lymphedema was defined as a relative volume change (RVC) of ≥10 % from preoperative baseline. Mild swelling was defined as RVC 5- <10 %. Clinicopathologic characteristics were obtained via medical record review. Kaplan-Meier and Cox proportional hazard analyses were performed to determine lymphedema rates and risk factors. 29 % (324/1121) of pat

SUBMITTER: Swaroop MN 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4432026 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature