TY  - JOUR
TI  - The Comparative Frequency of Breast Cancer-Related
Lymphedema Determined by Bioimpedance Spectroscopy
and Circumferential Measurements
AB  - Objective: The survival of patients with breast cancer has prolonged due to early diagnosis and modern methods of treatment and lymphedema has become
the most important morbidity secondary to the treatment of the disease. Early detection and timely intervention have potential to reduce advanced breast
cancer-related lymphedema. The aims of this study were to comparatively determine the frequency of subclinical/clinical lymphedema by using prospective
monitoring with bioimpedance spectroscopy (BIS) and circumferential measurements in a group of patients who underwent breast cancer surgery.
Materials and Methods: Patients having breast cancer surgery were recruited between October 2018 and December 2019. Demographical and surgical
properties were recorded. Extremity volumes by circumferential and BIS measurements were performed after surgery (baseline) and monitorizations were
carried out at third and sixth months, in order to determine the frequency of subclinical/clinical lymphedema. L-Dex value of >6.5 was recently taken
attention as subclinical lymphedema and values >7 were considered as clinical lymphedema. The presence of subclinical and clinic lymphedema was assessed
by inter-limb volume difference (>5% and >10 respectively) based on the serial circumferential measurements in both affected and non-affected extremities.
The functional status and quality of Life (QoL) were determined by quick-DASH and LYMQOL-Arm questionnaires respectively. The relationship between
volume measurements, functional status and QoL scores were determined.
Results: Eighty-two female patients with a mean age of 49.6 years were included to the study. 30 (36.5%) and 21 (25.6%) of patients were determined
as having subclinical/clinical lymphedema by BIS, while 18 (21.9%) and 19 (23.1%) of patients had subclinical/clinical lymphedema by circumferentialmeasurements
at third-and-sixth months respectively. The functional and QoL scores were not correlated with circumferential volume measurements and
BIS scores. There was a moderate-high correlation with BIS and circumferential measurements.
Conclusion: In conclusion 36.5% and 25.6% of our study group had subclinical and clinical lymphedema by BIS respectively during the 6 months
surveillance period. Periodic monitoring of women with BIS allows early detection for lymphedema in more patients than in circumferential volume
measurements, which may have implications for timely and necessary management.
AU  - AKIN IŞIK, Rabiye
AU  - BALCAN, Ayşegül
AU  - ÜNEŞ, KANİYE
AU  - Koyuncu, Esra Gizem
AU  - AKSOY, SERCAN
AU  - Arıkan Dönmez, Ayşe
AU  - BORMAN, PINAR
AU  - Ozaslan, Cihangir
AU  - Yaman, Ayşegül
AU  - Doğan, Lütfi
DO  - 10.4274/ejbh.galenos.2022.2021-9-2
PY  - 2022
JO  - European Journal of Breast Health
VL  - 18
IS  - 2
SN  - 2587-0831
SP  - 148
EP  - 154
DB  - TRDizin
UR  - http://search/yayin/detay/522350
ER  -