Axillary web syndrome is not a risk factor for lymphoedema after 10 years of follow-up

Abstract

Objective

The objective of this study was to evaluate the association between axillary web syndrome and the development of lymphoedema after 10 years of follow-up.

Methodology

A prospective observational study in a hospital cohort of women diagnosed with breast cancer and treated at a referral centre for cancer. Patients were followed according to the routine of the hospital’s physical therapy service. In addition, a review of medical records was conducted for the period between 5 and 10 years of follow-up. Data on patient characteristics, treatment, tumour and postoperative complications were collected.

Results

In all, 964 patients were included, mostly <65 years old (75 %) and classified as being overweight (68 %). Disease was diagnosed as being up to stage IIA in 54.9 % of the cases; 65.1% underwent mastectomy and 83.8% had total axillary dissection. As adjuvant treatment, 61 % underwent chemotherapy, 63.5 % radiotherapy and 68 % hormone therapy. Among surgical complications, 62.6 % of patients had seroma, 40.7 % had necrosis, 35.9 % axillary web syndrome and 31.4 % lymphoedema. There was no association between axillary web syndrome and the development of lymphoedema (OR = 0.87, 95 % CI 0.65 to 1.15, p = 0.329).

Conclusion

The occurrence of axillary web syndrome was not a risk factor for lymphoedema after 10 years of follow-up.

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