Time-course of arm lymphedema and potential risk factors for progression of lymphedema after breast conservation treatment for early stage breast cancer

Abstract: The objective of this study was to describe the progression of arm lymphedema (ALE) after the initial presentation among patients receiving breast conservation therapy for early stage breast cancer and to identify potential risk factors contributing to ALE progression. The study sample was the 266 stage I or II breast cancer patients with documented ALE who underwent breast conservation therapy that included lumpectomy, axillary staging followed by radiation therapy. ALE were graded according to a difference of 0.5–2 cm (mild), 2.1–3 cm (moderate), and >3 cm (severe) in the circumference between the upper extremities for the treated and untreated sides. ALE at presentation was scored as mild, moderate, and severe in 109 (41%), 125 (47%), and 32 (12%) patients, respectively. One third of patients with ALE progressed to a more severe grade of lymphedema at 5 years of follow‐up. Age older than 65 years at the time of breast cancer treatment was associated with higher risk of ALE progression when compared 65 year age or younger (p = 0.04). The patients who had regional lymph node irradiation including posterior axillary boost were at higher risk of lymphedema progression than the patients treated with whole breast irradiation only (p = 0.001). Progression of ALE is a common occurrence. The current study provides support for the utility of routine arm measurements after breast cancer treatment to facilitate timely diagnosis and treatment of ALE.     

Adjuvant bisphosphonate therapy in early‐stage breast cancer—Treating the soil to kill the seed

Bisphosphonates alter the tumor microenvironment, possibly preventing cancer cell growth in the bone. Analyses of data from numerous clinical trials and a large individual patient‐level data meta‐analysis have suggested an anti‐tumor effect for bisphosphonates in patients with early‐stage breast cancer who are postmenopausal. The absolute benefit from the use of bisphosphonates on breast cancer‐related mortality reduction mirrors that seen with the use of anthracycline‐based chemotherapy versus a first‐generation chemotherapy regimen (CMF). In this review, we discuss the evidence base for the use of adjuvant bisphosphonates in early‐stage breast cancer and provide recommendations for clinical use.     

乳腺癌相关淋巴水肿评估与管理指南的质量评价与内容分析

目的 对乳腺癌相关淋巴水肿评估与管理的相关指南进行质量评价和内容分析,为我国本土化乳腺癌相关淋巴水肿评估与管理指南的制定提供参考.方法 计算机检索国内外指南网站、相关专业协会网站及中英文数据库,搜集乳腺癌相关淋巴水肿评估与管理相关指南.采用AGREE Ⅱ评价纳入指南的质量,并对各指南推荐意见进行汇总分析.结果 最终纳入...     

Successful treatment of breast cancer‐related breast lymphedema by lymphovenous anastomosis in a male patient

Men, as well as women may develop breast lymphedema following breast cancer treatment. Microsurgically performed lymphovenous anastomosis (LVA), an effective treatment for lymphedema of the extremities, has also been successfully applied to breast lymphedema. Here we report the first case of breast lymphedema secondary to male breast cancer, treated with supermicrosurgical LVA. A 48‐year‐old man presented with breast lymphedema following mastectomy, axillary lymph node dissection, and adjuvant radiotherapy. After the oncological treatments, the patient reported a sensation of tension, pain, and swelling of the left breast. The diagnosis of breast lymphedema was confirmed by lymphoscintigraphy. Since conservative treatment with manual lymphdrainage was ineffective, we performed LVAs at the left breast region. In total, two lymph vessels were anastomosed to two nearby veins. Immediately following this intervention, the left breast and lateral thorax region decreased in size and the sensation of tension disappeared. One year postoperative there was no recurrence of the swelling and the patient was very satisfied with the result. Although more reports are needed to confirm its efficacy, supermicrosurgical LVA appears to be a valuable treatment option for breast lymphedema in both women and men.     

Breast-cancer related lymphedema: a review of procedure-specific incidence rates, clinical assessment AIDS, treatment paradigms, and risk reduction

With improved outcomes following treatment of breast cancer, chronic toxicities including breast cancer related lymphedema (BCRL), gain increased significance with limited evidence-based guidelines present. This review attempts to summarize data addressing these concerns and provides recommendations based on currently published data. Substantial differences exist in rates of BCRL reported in the literature ranging from less than 5% to 65% based on locoregional therapy. Based on recent data, early diagnosis of BCRL appears critical and requires careful attention to patient risk factors and the use of newer diagnostic tools. Initial treatment with decongestive lymphatic therapy/compressive stockings can provide significant improvement in patient symptoms and volume reduction of edematous extremities. At this time, consensus recommendations for disease classification, diagnostic testing and treatment are still lacking. Awareness of the frequency of this toxicity is now important as more accurate clinical aids have become accessible to diagnose the condition at an earlier stage allowing timely intervention providing the opportunity for treatment strategies to be more effective.     

乳腺癌术后上肢淋巴水肿患者自我管理体验的质性研究

目的 了解乳腺癌术后上肢淋巴水肿患者自我管理中的体验和感受,为临床制订解决方案提供参考。方法 采用质性研究方法对15例乳腺癌术后上肢淋巴水肿患者进行半结构式访谈,采用Colaizzi7步分析法分析资料。结果 提炼出6个主题,包括缺乏自我管理知识、思想上未引起足够重视、管理方式的差异化、自我管理过程中存在诸多障碍、自我管理中的情绪问题和社会支持不足。结论 乳腺癌术后上肢淋巴水肿患者在自我管理过程中存在较多问题,医护人员应帮助患者纠正对疾病的错误认知及处理方式,树立良好的自我管理行为与习惯,重视患者由自我管理产生的心理问题,联合家庭和社会共同提高患者的自我管理能力。     

Intraoperative radiation therapy for breast cancer—Immediate and 30‐month oncological outcomes

There is growing evidence that intraoperative radiation therapy (IORT) may be a viable option in selected patients with early breast cancer. This study reports our 4‐year experience with IORT. The perioperative outcome and imaging data of all patients who underwent IORT for early breast cancer at a tertiary medical center in 2014‐2018 were retrospectively retrieved. The cohort included 158 patients aged 52‐84 years (mean 68) with stage I (n = 137) or II (n = 21) breast cancer. Mean applicator size was 4.13 cm; IORT added a mean of 29 minutes to the operative time. Minor wound infections (n = 18, 11.4%) requiring antibiotics and drainage were the only postoperative complication. In 25 patients (15%), postoperative mammography demonstrated a seroma (n = 22) or fat necrosis (n = 3). The risk of wound infection or a new postoperative imaging finding was unrelated to patient age, operative time, tumor size, or comorbid diabetes or obesity. After a mean of 30 months' follow‐up, none of the patients who met the institutional criteria for IORT had local recurrence, regardless of age, histology, tumor grade, KI67 proliferation index, pathologic stage, Recurrence Score, or additional whole‐breast irradiation or adjuvant treatment. Patients for whom a Recurrence Score was determined (n = 55, 35%) had a significantly higher tumor grade, pathologic stage, and whole‐breast irradiation/adjuvant chemotherapy rate than the remaining patients. IORT may be a safe alternative to traditional external beam radiation in well‐selected patients with early breast cancer, with few minor complications and good 30‐month outcome.     

Cost-benefit analysis of a follow-up program in patients with breast cancer: a randomized prospective study

Increasing the number of breast cancer patients in follow-up involves increased costs and, with limited health care resources, there is a need to evaluate the cost-benefit to the patient of follow-up regimens. We present a randomized prospective study to evaluate the cost-benefit of intensive follow-up in the early detection of relapses in patients with breast cancer. One hundred and twenty-one patients were randomized to standard clinical follow-up (n=63) or to an intensive follow-up (n=58) that included diagnostic laboratory tests and imaging designed to detect early relapse following curative treatment. All patients had annual mammography. The number of scheduled outpatient appointments kept were 359 in the standard clinical follow-up and 355 in the intensive follow-up group. After a median of 3 years of follow-up, there were 28 relapses, 11 in standard clinical follow-up, and 13 in the intensive follow-up group. The overall cost of follow-up was 24,567 euros in the standard clinical follow-up group and 74,171 euros in the intensive follow-up group. Performing complimentary investigations in breast cancer follow-up is associated with higher costs without difference in early detection of relapses.     

Modified lambda‐shaped lymphaticovenular anastomosis with supermicrosurgical lymphoplasty technique for a cancer‐related lymphedema patient

Supermicrosurgical lymphaticovenular anastomosis (LVA) has become a useful option for the treatment of compression‐refractory lymphedema with its effectiveness and less invasiveness. It is important to make as many bypasses as possible for better treatment results of LVA operation. We report a secondary lymphedema case successfully treated using a modified lambda‐shaped LVA. A 62‐year‐old female with secondary lower extremity lymphedema (LEL) refractory to conservative treatments underwent LVA operation. A modified lambda‐shaped LVA was performed at the left groin. In modified lambda‐shaped LVA, two lymphatic vessels were transected, and both ends of the proximal and distal sides were converged respectively for an end‐to‐side and end‐to‐end anastomoses to one vein. Using modified lambda‐shaped LVA, four lymph flows of two lymphatic vessels could be bypassed into a vein. Six months after the LVA surgery, her left LEL index decreased from 261 to 247, indicating edematous volume reduction. Modified lambda‐shaped LVA effectively bypasses all lymph flows from two lymphatic vessels, when only one large vein can be found in the surgical field. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microsurgery 34:308–310, 2014.     

Supermicrosurgical deep lymphatic vessel‐to‐venous anastomosis for a breast cancer‐related arm lymphedema with severe sclerosis of superficial lymphatic vessels

Lymphatic supermicrosurgery or supermicrosurgical lymphaticovenular anastomosis (LVA) is becoming popular for the treatment of compression‐refractory upper extremity lymphedema (UEL) with its effectiveness and minimally invasiveness. In conventional LVA, superficial lymphatic vessels are used for anastomosis, but its treatment efficacy would be minimum when superficial lymphatic vessels are severely sclerotic. Theoretically, deep lymphatic vessels can be used for LVA, but no clinical case has been reported regarding deep lymphatic vessel‐to‐venous anastomosis (D‐LVA). We report a breast cancer‐related UEL case treated with D‐LVA, in which a less‐sclerotic deep lymphatic vessel was useful for anastomosis but superficial lymphatic vessels were not due to severe sclerosis. A 62‐year‐old female suffered from an 18‐year history of compression‐refractory right UEL after right breast cancer treatments, and underwent LVA under local infiltration anesthesia. Because superficial lymphatic vessels found in surgical fields were all severely sclerotic, a deep lymphatic vessel was dissected at the cubital fossa. A 0.50‐mm deep lymphatic vessel running along the brachial artery was supermicrosurgically anastomosed to a nearby 0.40‐mm vein. At postoperative 12 months, her right UEL index decreased from 134 to 118, and she could reduce compression frequency from every day to 1–2 days per week to maintain the reduced lymphedematous volume. D‐LVA may be a useful option for the treatment of compression‐refractory UEL, when superficial lymphatic vessels are severely sclerotic. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microsurgery 37:156–159, 2017.     

Lymphaticovenular anastomosis improves quality of life and limb volume in patients with secondary lymphedema after breast cancer treatment

Secondary lymphedema is a common side effect of breast cancer treatment, with significant impact on patients' physical and psychological well‐being. Conservative therapies are the gold standard treatment, however surgical options are becoming more popular. Lymphaticovenular anastomosis (LVA) is a supermicrosurgical procedure that aims to restore lymphatic flow by anastomosing damaged lymphatics to subcutaneous venules. We aimed to assess the effects of LVA on patients' limb volume and quality of life. Pre‐ and postoperative limb volumes and LYMQOL scores were collected for patients undergoing LVA for lymphedema secondary to breast cancer. Thirty‐seven patients underwent LVA. A significant reduction was seen in median excess limb volume postoperatively (13.3%‐6.6%, P < 0.005), with volumetric improvement seen in 78% of patients. Thirteen patients were able to discontinue compression garment use. Eighty‐six percent of patients reported improved quality of life postoperatively with median LYMQOL score increasing from 90 to 104 points (P < 0.005). LVA is a minimally invasive surgical option for patients with early stage lymphedema. It can lead to significant volumetric improvements and in select patients, freedom from compression therapy. LVA can also lead to significant improvements in quality of life, in particular patients' mood and perception of their appearance.     

Older Breast Cancer Survivors: Factors Associated with Self‐reported Symptoms of Persistent Lymphedema Over 7 years of Follow‐up

Abstract: Lymphedema of the arm is a common complication of breast cancer with symptoms that can persist over long periods of time. For older women (over 50% of breast cancer cases) it means living with the potential for long‐term complications of persistent lymphedema in conjunction with the common diseases and disabilities of aging over survivorship. We identified women ≥65 years diagnosed with primary stage I–IIIA breast cancer. Data were collected over 7 years of follow‐up from consenting patients’ medical records and telephone interviews. Data collected included self‐reported symptoms of persistent lymphedema, breast cancer characteristics, and selected sociodemographic and health‐related characteristics. The overall prevalence of symptoms of persistent lymphedema was 36% over 7 years of follow‐up. Having stage II or III (OR = 1.77, 95% CI: 1.07–2.93) breast cancer and having a BMI >30 (OR = 3.04, 95% CI: 1.69–5.45) were statistically significantly predictive of symptoms of persistent lymphedema. Women ≥80 years were less likely to report symptoms of persistent lymphedema when compared to younger women (OR = 0.44, 95% CI: 0.18–0.95). Women with symptoms of persistent lymphedema consistently reported worse general mental health and physical function. Symptoms of persistent lymphedema were common in this population of older breast cancer survivors and had a noticeable effect on both physical function and general mental health. Our findings provide evidence of the impact of symptoms of persistent lymphedema on the quality of survivorship of older women. Clinical and research efforts focused on risk factors for symptoms of persistent lymphedema in older breast cancer survivors may lead to preventative and therapeutic measures that help maintain their health and well‐being over increasing periods of survivorship.     

不同绷带包扎方法对乳腺癌淋巴水肿压力治疗效果的影响

目的 探讨绷带包扎方法与乳腺癌相关淋巴水肿压力治疗效果的相关性。 方法 将62例接受综合淋巴消肿治疗的乳腺癌相关淋巴水肿患者随机分为“8”字包扎组（20例）、“5”分包扎组（21例）和联合包扎组（21例）,在手法淋巴引流后分别采用“8”字包扎法、“5”分包扎法和联合包扎法,治疗20次后比较三组肢体周径比率、组织水分比率、患者满意度和绷带包扎松散发生率。 结果 三组肢体周径比率、组织水分比率均较治疗前改善,患者满意度中三项比较差异有统计学意义（均P＜0.05）,联合包扎组包扎松散率为0。 结论 三种方法用于淋巴水肿均有较好效果,其中联合包扎法具有舒适度高、不易松散的优点,患者满意度高。     

Triple‐negative breast cancer—Role of immunology: A systemic review

Recently, the complex role of immune therapy has been the target of increased attention in breast cancer, particularly in triple‐negative breast cancer (TNBC). Although TNBC is sensitive to chemotherapy, the recurrence and mortality rates are worse compared with the other breast cancer types. In addition, TNBC still lacks targeted treatment options. With the improved understanding of the immune system in TNBC, it is expected that new predictive and prognostic markers will be identified, and innovative treatment modalities will be developed. The aim of this review was to provide an overview of the effector cells in the TNBC's microenvironment and to highlight a novel approach to treat this kind of cancer. A computer‐based literature research was carried out using PubMed, American Society of Clinical Oncology Annual Meeting (ASCO) and San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium (SABCS). To date, studies have shown that tumor‐infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) and tumor‐associated macrophages ( TAMs) play a very important role in the TNBC's microenvironment. Tumor‐infiltrating lymphocytes can even be considered as biomarkers to predict chemotherapy response in TNBC. Furthermore, TNBC was shown to have immune active subtypes, and therefore, the use of immunotherapy may be an attractive treatment approach. In this respect, several randomized studies have been designed or are currently ongoing to explore the combination of chemotherapy with immunotherapy in TNBC. Combination of chemo‐ and immunotherapy is likely to be beneficial in a subgroup of patients with TNBC.     

Pattern of relapse in low‐risk breast cancer patients followed within a community care network

International guidelines have set the frame and methods of patients’ surveillance after early breast cancer (BC) treatment. Since 1998, delegation of low‐risk BC patients follow‐up to nonhospital practitioners has been developed within a care network in the Paris region. We used the Gynecomed care network digital database to describe the characteristics of oncological events which occurred in the cohort, and to assess the quality of BC follow‐up in relapsing patients. Events were defined as any local, contralateral, or metastatic recurrence, as well as second cancer or death due to any cause. We developed a ranked evaluation method of our surveillance program. Among the 3019 patients followed in the network, 116 (4.3%) patients had 116 events. Median follow‐up was 7.1 years (0‐51). First events were local‐regional relapses, contralateral BCs, metastatic events, second primaries in respectively 52, 26, 14, 24 cases. During the first 5 years, 68.4% of surveillance visits were performed on time, 13.5% were behind schedule and 18.1% were not performed, while 79.1% of mammographies were performed on time, 7.7% behind schedule, and 13.2% were not performed. On schedule examinations allowed diagnosis of 77% of the local‐regional, ipsilateral relapses or contralateral BCs, including 38 (69%) discovered by mammographies and 17 (31%) by clinical examination. A nonhospital practitioner care network is able to comply with good surveillance practices and deliver high quality surveillance, in accordance with international guidelines. Delegation of low‐risk BC surveillance to nonhospital practitioners is reliable.