Mete Civelek Gul, Borman Pınar, Sahbaz Pirincci Cansu, Yaman Aysegul, Ucar Gokhan, Uncu Dogan, Kahraman Seda, Dalyan Meltem
Ankara Bilkent City Hospital, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Hospital, Health Science University, Ankara, Turkiye.
Gulhane Faculty of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, University of Health Sciences, Ankara, Turkiye.
Lymphat Res Biol. 2025 Apr;23(2):88-94. doi: 10.1089/lrb.2024.0008. Epub 2025 Jan 6.
The aim of this study was to comparatively determine the frequency of breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL) by using prospective monitoring with perometer and circumferential measurements in a group of patients who underwent breast cancer surgery. We also aimed to evaluate the relationship between volume changes and functional status and quality of life (QoL) in patients with breast cancer-related subclinical lymphedema. Patients who had unilateral breast cancer surgery for breast were assessed with circumferential and perometer, respectively, for volumes at baseline, 3rd-month, 6th-month, 9th-month, and 12th-month by the same physiotherapist. Every patient was informed about lymphedema symptoms and prevention. The demographic and clinical properties were recorded. Functional status and QoL were evaluated by Q-DASH and the Lymphedema Quality of Life Questionnaire-Arm questionnaires. A total of 101 female patients with a mean age of 49.02 + 10.59 years completed the 12-month follow-up. Most of the patients were overweight, had an axillary dissection in addition to breast surgery, and received radiotherapy. The frequency of subclinical and clinical BCRL at the end of 12 months was determined by 34.7% and 23.8% with circumferential measures and perometer, respectively. QoL and functional scores did not differ between patients with and without subclinical lymphedema. After the first 12 months after surgery, the frequency of BCRL assessed by circumferential measurements was higher than the frequency assessed by perometer. Periodic monitoring of women with breast cancer for the presence of BCRL, preferably by the same person together with patient education is suggested in order to allow early detection and timely intervention for BCRL.
本研究的目的是通过对一组接受乳腺癌手术的患者进行前瞻性监测，使用周径测量仪和周长测量法，比较确定乳腺癌相关淋巴水肿（BCRL）的发生率。我们还旨在评估乳腺癌相关亚临床淋巴水肿患者的体积变化与功能状态及生活质量（QoL）之间的关系。对接受单侧乳腺癌手术的患者，由同一名物理治疗师分别在基线、第3个月、第6个月、第9个月和第12个月，使用周径测量仪和周长测量法评估其体积。向每位患者告知淋巴水肿症状及预防措施。记录人口统计学和临床特征。通过Q-DASH问卷和淋巴水肿生活质量问卷-手臂问卷评估功能状态和生活质量。共有101名平均年龄为49.02±10.59岁的女性患者完成了12个月的随访。大多数患者超重，除了乳房手术外还进行了腋窝清扫，并接受了放疗。12个月结束时，通过周长测量法确定亚临床和临床BCRL的发生率分别为34.7%和23.8%，通过周径测量仪确定的发生率分别为23.8%和34.7%。有亚临床淋巴水肿和无亚临床淋巴水肿的患者之间的生活质量和功能评分没有差异。手术后的前12个月，通过周长测量评估的BCRL发生率高于通过周径测量仪评估的发生率。建议对乳腺癌患者进行定期监测，以检查是否存在BCRL，最好由同一人进行，并对患者进行教育，以便早期发现BCRL并及时进行干预。
