Lymphedema in women undergoing breast cancer surgery

Priscila Lara Vieira Bonisson; Mei Rosemary Fu; Selme Silqueira Matos; Giovana Paula Rezende Simino; Elenice Ribeiro de Paula Lima; Flávia Falci Ercole

doi:10.15253/2175-6783.2017000300007

Authors

Priscila Lara Vieira Bonisson Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais
Mei Rosemary Fu Universidade de Nova Yorque
Selme Silqueira Matos Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais
Giovana Paula Rezende Simino
Elenice Ribeiro de Paula Lima
Flávia Falci Ercole Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15253/2175-6783.2017000300007

Keywords:

Breast Neoplasms, Mastectomy, Lymphedema, Lymph Node Excision, Nursing.

Abstract

Objective: to estimate the prevalence and to identify possible factors associated with the occurrence of lymphedema in women undergoing treatment for breast cancer. Methods: a prevalence study with 125 women. An interview and a consultation of the medical record were carried out using a questionnaire. Univariate and multivariate analysis were performed through logistic regression. Results: a prevalence rate of 34.4% was found. Obesity, sentinel lymph node biopsy, radiotherapy, and the presence of some treatment complications were statistically significant for the occurrence of lymphedema. Conclusion: the prevalence of lymphedema in this study was high. The variables positively related to lymphedema, considered as associated factors, were: obesity, sentinel lymph node biopsy, radiotherapy and some treatment related complications (adhesion,retraction, paraesthesia, seroma, fibrosis, infection and dehiscence).