Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women worldwide. Surgery remains the mainstay of treatment for most patients with breast cancer and surgical outcomes will depend on the extent of disease. Lymphedema is perhaps the most dreaded long-term complications related to breast cancer surgery, especially Axillary Lymph Node Dissection (ALND). Once present it implies a lifelong problem.
The incidence of lymphedema is about 10-30% in women undergoing ALND and it occurs from any time after surgery till 28 years later in life. 75% of cases of breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL) occur within 1 year and 90% within 3 years of surgery Recognition of certain patients who are more prone to develop lymphedema can allow individual planning and lead to earlier detection and treatment which leads to improved outcomes and better overall quality of life. Diagnosis : The National Lymphedema Network…
