Disclosures: Hanna Oh: Nothing to disclose

Objective: To define, identify risk factors, and recognize breast lymphedema as a possible complication following breast conserving treatment. Upper extremity lymphedema is a well-known complication of breast cancer treatment. Lymphedema of the breast and chest wall may not be as clinically apparent but can contribute to significant pain and discomfort.

Design: This study is a case series consisting of six patients being treated for breast lymphedema.

Setting: These patients were evaluated and treated at an outpatient lymphedema therapy setting at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.

Participants: Six female patients with breast cancer with varying burden of disease and cancer type were included. These participants underwent varying surgical procedures for tumor resection and lymph node biopsy or dissection, neo-adjuvant therapy, and/or radiation treatment.

Interventions: All participants were referred to a single lymphedema therapist for manual lymph drainage, bandaging, and compression. Duration of therapy varied, depending on symptomatic improvement.

Main Outcome Measures: Participant-reported pain and discomfort were evaluated at each therapy session.

Results: Photographs of participants’ chest wall and breast tissue were taken prior to and after completion of lymphedema therapy.

Conclusions: Given subjective improvement in symptoms as well as clinical decrease in breast size following lymphedema therapy, a survey was created to better identify risk factors for the development for breast lymphedema. Data including age, tumor location, extent of lymph node dissection, symptom onset, and oncologic treatment regimen is to be collected on patients referred for treatment for breast lymphedema. Breast lymphedema can be difficult to clinically assess due to the variations in shape and size of breast tissue, particularly after surgical intervention. As breast lymphedema becomes more widely recognized as a potential complication of breast cancer treatment, protocols can be developed to better classify and grade its severity.

Level of Evidence: Level IV

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PM&R Meeting Abstracts - https://pmrjabstracts.org/abstract/treatment-of-breast-lymphedema-in-breast-cancer-a-case-series/