Integrating Symptoms Into the Diagnostic Criteria for Breast Cancer-Related Lymphedema: Applying Results From a Prospective Surveillance Program.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

The objectives of this study were to determine whether patients reporting symptoms are more likely to develop lymphedema and to describe the temporal relationship between symptom onset and lymphedema.

Methods

This was a prospective longitudinal cohort study of 647 women treated for breast cancer and screened for lymphedema using arm volume measurements and subjective questionnaires (n = 647; 2284 questionnaires [median 3.5 per patient, range = 1-24]). Primary study outcome was lymphedema (relative volume change ≥10%). The Kaplan-Meier method was used to estimate cumulative lymphedema incidence. Cox proportional hazards models were used to assess the relationship between symptoms, other risk factors, and lymphedema.

Results

A total of 64 patients (9.9%) devel

SUBMITTER: Brunelle CL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7824870 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature