Lymphedema incidence after specific postmastectomy therapy.

In a retrospective study the incidence of lymphedema was analyzed in 58 women, ages 35 to 81 years, who had received a specific treatment program after radical or modified radical mastectomy for breast carcinoma in a county hospital. Thirty-nine percent (23 patients) had cobalt treatment and 48% (28 patients) had delayed wound healing. Circumferential measurements of both upper limbs were obtained at specific corresponding sites. At the end of the 12 months, 69% of the patients had no lymphedema, 22.4% had slight lymphedema, 5.2% had moderate lymphedema and 3.4% had severe lymphedema. The benefits of close follow-up and specific treatment of mastectomized patients are evidenced in this study by the relatively large group of patients which was free of lymphedema over an extended period of time in spite of wound healing complications.