Prevalence and Incidence of Breast Cancer-related Lymphedema

Abstract

Introduction: Lymphedema associated with breast cancer is a secondary lymphedema that appears after breast cancer treatment and is caused by functional insufficiency of the lymphatic system.

Objective: To determine the prevalence and incidence of lymphedema related to breast cancer.

Methods: A descriptive-analytical, ambispective, longitudinal observational study was conducted of all patients operated on for breast cancer at the Mastology Service of the Dr. Salvador Allende Clinical-Surgical Hospital between January 2019 and March 2024. The cumulative point prevalence and incidence were calculated. Associated factors were identified, and the time of onset of lymphedema and its relationship with associated factors were estimated using Cox regression.

Results: Thirty-three female patients with an average age of 66.4 ± 11.2 years were included. Eight patients developed lymphedema during the average follow-up period, which was 2.5 years, for a cumulative prevalence of 24.2% (95% CI: 9.6-38.9) and an incidence of 9.4 (95% CI 3.3-24) cases of lymphedema per 100 people treated per year. Only body mass index showed a statistically significant association with the onset of lymphedema. The optimal cutoff point was identified as 24.06 kg/m2.

Conclusions: Breast cancer-related lymphedema had a prevalence and incidence similar to that reported internationally. Body mass index was identified as an independent factor associated with the development of breast cancer-related lymphedema.