Article

There is little research on hand edema in the population at risk for
breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL).
Objectives: Study aims included
reporting potential importance of hand edema (HE) as a risk factor for
progression of edema in patients treated for breast cancer at risk for BCRL,
reporting risk factors for BCRL, and reporting treatment of HE.
This was a retrospective analysis of 9 patients treated for breast cancer in
Massachusetts General Hospital's lymphedema screening program who presented with
isolated HE. Limb volumes via perometry, BCRL risk factors, and HE treatment are
reported. Results: Edema was mostly isolated to the hand. Three patients had arm
edema >5% on perometry; and 2 of these had edema outside the hand on clinical
examination. Patients were at high risk of BCRL with an average of 2.9/5 known
risk factors. Arm edema progressed to >10% in 2 high-risk patients. Treatment
resulted in an average hand volume reduction of 10.2% via perometry and
improvement upon clinical examination. Limitations: The small sample size and
lack of validated measures of subjective data were limitations. Conclusions: In
this cohort, patients with HE carried significant risk factors for BCRL. Two out
of 9 (22%), both carrying >/=4/5 risk factors, progressed to edema >10%. Isolated
HE may be a prognostic factor for edema progression in patients treated for
breast cancer at risk for BCRL. Further research is warranted.

Langue : ANGLAIS