Lymphedema following breast cancer treatment, including sentinel lymph node biopsy.

To compare the occurrence, signs, and symptoms of lymphedema (LE) the arms of women after axillary lymph node dissection (ALND), sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB), combined SLNB and ALND (Both), or neither as part of breast cancer diagnosis and treatment, a concurrent descriptive-comparative cross-sectional four-group design with retrospective chart review was carried out. In a convenience sample of 102 women treated for breast cancer and receiving follow-up care at a midwestern United States cancer center, sequential circumferential measurements at five selected anatomical sites along both arms and hands were used to determine the presence of LE (> or = 2 cm differences between sites). Participants self-reported LE-related signs and symptoms by interview and completion of the Lymphedema and Breast Cancer Questionnaire (LBCQ).

Distress, symptom distress, and immune function in women with suspected breast cancer.

Purpose/objectives: To investigate distress and its association with immune function among women with suspected breast cancer.

Design: Prospective, descriptive, correlational study.

Setting: An outpatient breast clinic at a tertiary urban hospital.

Impact of axillary lymph node dissection on the therapy of breast cancer patients.

Purpose: We studied a series of 283 breast cancer patients retrospectively to determine the actual benefits of axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) for these patients.

Patients And Methods: The records of 283 women with invasive breast cancer treated between 1988 and 1990 were reviewed for histologic status of the axillary lymph nodes, tumor size, DNA content, hormone-receptor values, and actual adjuvant treatments received.

Results: ALND was of possible therapeutic benefit for the 15% (43 of 283) of patients who had clinically positive nodes.

Breast cancer: psychosocial consequences for the patient.

Women with breast cancer experience various psychosocial problems throughout the continuum of the disease. The psychosocial impact and adjustment of women with breast cancer during the phases of pretreatment, primary treatment, adjuvant therapy, recurrence, and advanced disease have numerous implications for nursing practice and research.