INTRODUCTION: Treatment-related factors may increase the risk for arm lymphedema, which may occur after surgery or even many years after initial treatment for breast cancer. The association between treatment-related risk factors and development of arm lymphedema was examined for women who participated in the long-term quality of life (LTQOL) study, a 12-15-year follow-up of a breast cancer case-control study of Hispanic and non-Hispanic white women. METHODS: Among 199 cases, 43 women (15 Hispanic, 28 non-Hispanic white) reported physician-diagnosed lymphedema during follow-up. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to calculate the odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for the association of risk factors with lymphedema, adjusting for relevant covariates. RESULTS: Tamoxifen had a non-significant, positive association with lymphedema (OR = 2.07, 95% CI 0.94-4.55, p =0.07). There were no significant associations with type of surgery, radiation, or chemotherapy. Risk was increased specifically in overweight and obese women (body mass index (BMI) > =25 kg/m(2)) treated with tamoxifen (OR = 2.62, 95% CI 0.99-6.93, p = 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that breast cancer survivors with a BMI >25 who report the use of tamoxifen therapy may be at increased risk for arm lymphedema. IMPLICATIONS FOR CANCER SURVIVORS: Larger case-control studies and clinical trials should investigate the long-term association of tamoxifen treatment with arm lymphedema especially in overweight and obese women. Lymphedema risk may be another indication to consider a weight reduction program in breast cancer survivors.
INTRODUCTION: Treatment-related factors may increase the risk for arm lymphedema, which may occur after surgery or even many years after initial treatment for breast cancer. The association between treatment-related risk factors and development of arm lymphedema was examined for women who participated in the long-term quality of life (LTQOL) study, a 12-15-year follow-up of a breast cancer case-control study of Hispanic and non-Hispanic white women. METHODS: Among 199 cases, 43 women (15 Hispanic, 28 non-Hispanic white) reported physician-diagnosed lymphedema during follow-up. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to calculate the odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for the association of risk factors with lymphedema, adjusting for relevant covariates. RESULTS:Tamoxifen had a non-significant, positive association with lymphedema (OR = 2.07, 95% CI 0.94-4.55, p =0.07). There were no significant associations with type of surgery, radiation, or chemotherapy. Risk was increased specifically in overweight and obesewomen (body mass index (BMI) > =25 kg/m(2)) treated with tamoxifen (OR = 2.62, 95% CI 0.99-6.93, p = 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that breast cancer survivors with a BMI >25 who report the use of tamoxifen therapy may be at increased risk for arm lymphedema. IMPLICATIONS FOR CANCER SURVIVORS: Larger case-control studies and clinical trials should investigate the long-term association of tamoxifen treatment with arm lymphedema especially in overweight and obesewomen. Lymphedema risk may be another indication to consider a weight reduction program in breast cancer survivors.
Authors: Kathy B Baumgartner; John F Annegers; R Sue McPherson; Ralph F Frankowski; Frank D Gilliland; Jonathan M Samet Journal: Ethn Dis Date: 2002 Impact factor: 1.847
Authors: Bernard Fisher; Joseph P Costantino; D Lawrence Wickerham; Reena S Cecchini; Walter M Cronin; Andre Robidoux; Therese B Bevers; Maureen T Kavanah; James N Atkins; Richard G Margolese; Carolyn D Runowicz; Joan M James; Leslie G Ford; Norman Wolmark Journal: J Natl Cancer Inst Date: 2005-11-16 Impact factor: 13.506
Authors: J Cuzick; J Forbes; R Edwards; M Baum; S Cawthorn; A Coates; A Hamed; A Howell; T Powles Journal: Lancet Date: 2002-09-14 Impact factor: 79.321