AI Article Synopsis
- The study investigates the impact of breast-cancer-related lymphedema on upper extremity (UE) function in women post breast cancer treatment, with 144 participants surveyed for symptoms and disabilities.
- Results show that women with lymphedema experienced more severe UE symptoms, greater impairment in strength and range of motion, and a higher Disability of Arm-Shoulder-Hand (DASH) score compared to those without lymphedema.
- The findings highlight the need for early detection and intervention by healthcare providers to address and potentially mitigate these impairments in breast cancer survivors.
Article Abstract
Introduction: Breast-cancer-related lymphedema affects approximately 25% of breast cancer (BC) survivors and may impact use of the upper limb during activity. The purpose of this study is to compare upper extremity (UE) impairment and activity between women with and without lymphedema after BC treatment.
Methods: 144 women post BC treatment completed demographic, symptom, and Disability of Arm-Shoulder-Hand (DASH) questionnaires. Objective measures included Purdue pegboard, finger-tapper, Semmes-Weinstein monofilaments, vibration perception threshold, strength, range of motion (ROM), and volume.
Results: Women with lymphedema had more lymph nodes removed (p < .001), more UE symptoms (p < .001), higher BMI (p = .041), and higher DASH scores (greater limitation) (p < .001). For all participants there was less strength (elbow flexion, wrist flexion, grip), less shoulder ROM, and decreased sensation at the medial upper arm (p < .05) in the affected UE. These differences were greater in women with lymphedema, particularly in shoulder abduction ROM (p < .05). Women with lymphedema had bilaterally less elbow flexion strength and shoulder ROM (p < .05). Past diagnosis of lymphedema, grip strength, shoulder abduction ROM, and number of comorbidities contributed to the variance in DASH scores (R (2) of 0.463, p < .001).
Implications For Cancer Survivors: UE impairments are found in women following treatment for BC. Women with lymphedema have greater UE impairment and limitation in activities than women without. Many of these impairments are amenable to prevention measures or treatment, so early detection by health care providers is essential.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
|---|---|
| http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2882040 | PMC |
| http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11764-010-0118-x | DOI Listing |
Publication Analysis
Top Keywords
Similar Publications
The Five-Year Outcomes of Breast Cancer Surgical Management at the Colentina Surgical Clinic, Bucharest, Romania: A Descriptive Retrospective Analysis Between 2019 and 2023.
Life (Basel)
January 2025
General Surgery Department, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 8 Eroii Sanitari Blvd., 050474 Bucharest, Romania.
Breast cancer still represents the most commonly diagnosed cancer among women, accounting for 12.5% of all new annual cancer cases worldwide. In Romania in 2020, breast cancer was the most common, with a share of new cases of 26.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFManaging Calciphylaxis: Insights from Real-World Cases at a Tertiary Academic Center.
Adv Skin Wound Care
January 2025
At University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States, Kanika Kochhar, DPM, is Podiatry Fellow; and Brennen O'Dell, DPM, Garneisha Torrence, DPM, MHMS, and Alton Johnson, DPM, DABPM, FACPM, FASPS, CWSP, are Clinical Assistant Professors. Carey Spitler, MSN, NP-C, CWON, is Nurse Practitioner, University of Michigan Health, Michigan Medicine, Ann Arbor. Also at University of Michigan Medical School, Brian Schmidt, DPM, is Clinical Associate Professor.
Calciphylaxis is a rare and potentially fatal condition involving chronic, nonhealing wounds caused by microvascular calcification. There is currently no approved treatment for calciphylaxis, contributing to its devastating impacts on quality of life. In this case series, the authors highlight instances of potentially misdiagnosed calciphylaxis in a cohort of patients and emphasize the importance of accurate diagnosis through multidisciplinary management approaches.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFComfortable knowing little about lymphoedema? A qualitative study of medical interns in Australia.
BMJ Open
January 2025
School of Health Sciences and Social Work, Griffith University, Nathan, Queensland, Australia.
Objectives: Knowledgeable doctors are needed for timely assessment, diagnosis and management of lymphoedema. This qualitative study explored the thoughts and feelings of Australian interns (medical graduates in their first postgraduate year) towards (i) their understanding of the lymphatic system and lymphoedema, (ii) curricula pertaining to lymphoedema within their Australian medical degree and (iii) how they perceive that their understanding and medical training in lymphoedema influence their clinical practice.
Study Design And Methods: Qualitative semistructured interviews were conducted with interns employed within their first postgraduate year in Australia.
Unilateral lower extremity lymphedema followed by COVID-19 vaccination in patients with cervical cancer history: two case reports.
J Yeungnam Med Sci
January 2025
Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Daegu Catholic University School of Medicine, Korea.
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic prompted the development of messenger RNA vaccines. Following extensive vaccination campaigns worldwide, several adverse reactions to these vaccines have been reported. This is a case series of unilateral lower extremity lymphedema after COVID-19 vaccination in two patients with a history of cervical cancer.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIncidence of cancer-related lymphoedema: a protocol for a living systematic review with meta-analysis.
BMJ Open
December 2024
School of Health Sciences and Social Work, Griffith University, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
Introduction: Given the projected rise in the incidence of cancer treatment-related conditions, such as lymphoedema, and the limited research on lymphoedema in cancers with poor prognoses, there is a need for a better understanding of cancer-related lymphoedema incidence and associated risk factors across all types of cancers. The objectives of this review are (1) to produce a resource on an open-access platform that facilitates continuous update of incidence estimates and risk factors as evidence emerges, (2) to provide the most up-to-date estimate of the incidence of cancer-related lymphoedema and (3) to evaluate the strength and consistency of the association between lymphoedema and cancer treatment and non-treatment-related risk factors.
Methods And Analysis: A living systematic and grey literature search will be conducted to identify studies reporting the incidence, prevalence of lymphoedema or associated risk factors in individuals who have undergone treatment for any type of cancer.
Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?
Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!