Body mass index and breast cancer treatment-related lymphedema

Support Care Cancer. 2011 Jun;19(6):853-7. doi: 10.1007/s00520-011-1089-9. Epub 2011 Jan 16.

Abstract

Purpose: The main purpose was to examine longitudinally the influence of body mass index (BMI) and obesity on the development of breast cancer treatment-related lymphedema. We asked, does elevated BMI increase lymphedema risk?

Methods: A secondary analysis was conducted on de-identified data collected from 138 newly diagnosed breast cancer survivors who had arm-volume measurements and symptom assessment at pre-treatment baseline and measurements up to 30 months post-surgery in a prospective longitudinal parent study. Arm volume and weight data, part of the information collected during each participant visit, were examined.

Results: Breast cancer survivors whose BMI was ≥30 at the time of breast cancer treatment were approximately 3.6 times more likely to develop lymphedema at 6 months or greater after diagnosis than those with a BMI < 30 at the time of cancer treatment (95% confidence interval, C.I., for odds ratio, O.R., 1.42-9.04; p = 0.007). Those with a general BMI increase or a BMI rise to 30 or greater during their first 30 months of survivorship were not more likely to develop late-onset lymphedema than those who did not have similar changes in BMI.

Conclusions: Pre-treatment BMI may be a risk factor for lymphedema. Weight gain post-treatment may not be. Further research is warranted.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Body Mass Index
  • Breast Neoplasms / radiotherapy
  • Breast Neoplasms / surgery*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Longitudinal Studies
  • Lymphedema / epidemiology
  • Lymphedema / etiology*
  • Middle Aged
  • Obesity / complications*
  • Postoperative Complications / epidemiology*
  • Prospective Studies
  • Risk Factors
  • Time Factors
  • Young Adult