ORIGINAL ARTICLE   

Acta Phlebologica 2022 August;23(2):83-6

DOI: 10.23736/S1593-232X.22.00527-6

Copyright © 2022 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA

language: English

Subclinical lymphedema of the trunk in patients with upper limb lymphedema resulting from treatment for breast cancer

Jose M. PEREIRA DE GODOY ¹ ✉, Lívia M. PEREIRA DE GODOY ², Henrique J. PEREIRA DE GODOY ³, Maria F. GUERREIRO GODOY ⁴

¹ Department of Cardiology and Cardiovascular Surgery, School Medicine in São José do Rio Preto (FAMERP), CNPq (National Council for Research and Development), São José do Rio Preto, Brazil; ² Department of Dermatology, Lauro de Souza Lima Institute, Bauru, Brazil; ³ Department of General Surgery, School Medicine in São José do Rio Preto (FAMERP), São José do Rio Preto, Brazil; ⁴ School Medicine in São José do Rio Preto (FAMERP), São José do Rio Preto, Brazil

BACKGROUND: Lymphedema is a frequent complication of treatment for breast cancer, causing physical, psychological and financial problems for patients. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the prevalence of subclinical systemic lymphedema of the trunk in patients with upper limb lymphedema resulting from the treatment of breast cancer and determine the influence of the Body Mass Index (BMI).
METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted to determine the prevalence of subclinical systemic lymphedema of the trunk in women with upper limb lymphedema following treatment for breast cancer. All patients were evaluated using bioelectrical impedance analysis (InBody S10 device).
RESULTS: The patients were divided into two groups based on BMI. Group 1: BMI<30 kg\\m²; Group 2: BMI>30 kg\\m².
CONCLUSIONS: Clinical or subclinical lymphedema of the trunk is a frequent bioimpedance finding in patients with upper limb lymphedema resulting from treatment for breast cancer and should be evaluated better.

KEY WORDS: Lymphedema; Torso; Upper extremity; Surgery; Breast neoplasms