Ceren Gursen1, Elizabeth Sian Dylke2, Niamh Moloney3, Mira Meeus4,5,6, Tessa De Vrieze7, Nele Devoogdt7,8,9, An De Groef8,9. 1. Faculty of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey. 2. Faculty of Health Sciences, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia. 3. Department of Health Professions, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia. 4. Department of Rehabilitation Sciences and Physiotherapy, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium. 5. Department of Rehabilitation Sciences and Physiotherapy, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium. 6. Pain in Motion International Research Group. 7. Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, KU Leuven - University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium. 8. Department of Vascular Surgery, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium. 9. Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Centre for Lymphedema, Leuven, Belgium.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Breast cancer survivors with secondary upper limb lymphoedema (ULL) may report a wide range of self-reported symptoms. At the moment, no overview of ULL-specific symptoms is available. The first aim, therefore, was to compare the prevalence rates of self-reported signs and symptoms in people with and without secondary ULL due to breast cancer treatment. The second aim was to determine whether symptoms of lymphoedema could be predictive for the development of ULL. The third aim was to describe the association between the presence/severity of symptoms and the presence/severity of ULL. METHODS: A systematic search was conducted in Medline, Scopus, CINAHL and EMBASE databases, with key words related to breast cancer, symptoms and ULL. RESULTS: Twenty-nine articles were eligible. The most frequently reported signs and symptoms were swelling (80.9%) and heaviness (66.7%) in the ULL group and tenderness (37%) and numbness (27%) in the non-ULL group. Perceived larger arm size, as well as feelings of arm tightness, stiffness, puffiness, pain, sensory disturbances and functional changes were predictive for the development of ULL. Moderate correlations were found between the presence of swelling, firmness in the past year and tightness now and severity of ULL. There was also moderate correlation between the presence of swelling and heaviness now and the presence of ULL. CONCLUSIONS: Swelling and heaviness are the most commonly reported symptoms in patients with ULL. The presences of these two symptoms are moderately correlated with the presence and/or severity of ULL. Although limited information regarding the predictive self-reported symptoms for the development of ULL was found. Further research with standardised definitions of ULL and validated questionnaires for self-reported signs and symptoms are needed to confirm which signs and symptoms are related to ULL and which to other upper limb morbidities.
INTRODUCTION:Breast cancer survivors with secondary upper limb lymphoedema (ULL) may report a wide range of self-reported symptoms. At the moment, no overview of ULL-specific symptoms is available. The first aim, therefore, was to compare the prevalence rates of self-reported signs and symptoms in people with and without secondary ULL due to breast cancer treatment. The second aim was to determine whether symptoms of lymphoedema could be predictive for the development of ULL. The third aim was to describe the association between the presence/severity of symptoms and the presence/severity of ULL. METHODS: A systematic search was conducted in Medline, Scopus, CINAHL and EMBASE databases, with key words related to breast cancer, symptoms and ULL. RESULTS: Twenty-nine articles were eligible. The most frequently reported signs and symptoms were swelling (80.9%) and heaviness (66.7%) in the ULL group and tenderness (37%) and numbness (27%) in the non-ULL group. Perceived larger arm size, as well as feelings of arm tightness, stiffness, puffiness, pain, sensory disturbances and functional changes were predictive for the development of ULL. Moderate correlations were found between the presence of swelling, firmness in the past year and tightness now and severity of ULL. There was also moderate correlation between the presence of swelling and heaviness now and the presence of ULL. CONCLUSIONS:Swelling and heaviness are the most commonly reported symptoms in patients with ULL. The presences of these two symptoms are moderately correlated with the presence and/or severity of ULL. Although limited information regarding the predictive self-reported symptoms for the development of ULL was found. Further research with standardised definitions of ULL and validated questionnaires for self-reported signs and symptoms are needed to confirm which signs and symptoms are related to ULL and which to other upper limb morbidities.