This single-institution experience evaluated the use of bioimpedance spectroscopy to facilitate early detection and treatment of breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL) in a cohort of 596 patients (79.6% high risk). Seventy-three patients (12%) developed an elevated L-Dex score with axillary lymph node dissection (P < .001), taxane chemotherapy (P = .008), and regional nodal irradiation (P < .001) associated. At last follow-up, only 18 patients (3%) had unresolved clinically significant BCRL requiring complete decongestive physiotherapy. This rate of BCRL is lower than reported in contemporary studies, supporting recent NCCN guidelines promoting prospective screening, education and intervention for BCRL.
Keywords: bioimpedance; breast cancer; early detection; lymphedema; surveillance.
© 2017 The Authors. The Breast Journal Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.