Changes in volume and incidence of lymphedema during and after treatment with docetaxel, doxorubicin, and cyclophosphamide (TAC) in patients with breast cancer

Acquired lymphedema: Molecular contributors and future directions for developing intervention strategies

Lymphedema is a debilitating chronic disease that mostly develops as an adverse reaction to cancer treatment modalities such as chemotherapy, surgery, and radiotherapy. Lymphedema also appears to be a deteriorating consequence of roundworm infections, as best represented by filariasis. According to its origin, lymphedema is classified as primary lymphedema and acquired lymphedema. The latter is an acquired condition that, hitherto, received a considerably low attention owing to the less number of fatal cases been reported. Notably, despite the low mortality rate in lymphedema, it has been widely reported to reduce the disease-free survival and thus the quality of life of affected patients. Hence, in this review, we focused on acquired lymphedema and orchestration of molecular interplays associated with either stimulation or inhibition of lymphedema development that were, in vast majority, clearly depicted in animal models with their specific and distinct technical approaches. We also discussed some recent progress made in phytochemical-based anti-lymphedema intervention strategies and the specific mechanisms underlying their anti-lymphedema properties. This review is crucial to understand not only the comprehensive aspects of the disease but also the future directions of the intervention strategies that can address the quality of life of affected patients rather than alleviating apparent symptoms only.

Assessment of Potential Risk Factors and Skin Ultrasound Presentation Associated with Breast Cancer-Related Lymphedema in Long-Term Breast Cancer Survivors

Breast cancer has been reported to have the highest survival rate among various cancers. However, breast cancer survivors face several challenges following breast cancer treatment including breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL), sexual dysfunction, and psychological distress. This study aimed to investigate the potential risk factors of BCRL in long term breast cancer survivors. A total of 160 female breast cancer subjects were recruited on a voluntary basis and arm lymphedema was assessed through self-reporting of diagnosis, arm circumference measurement, and ultrasound examination. A total of 33/160 or 20.5% of the women developed BCRL with significantly higher scores for upper extremity disability (37.14 ± 18.90 vs. 20.08 ± 15.29, p < 0.001) and a lower score for quality of life (103.91 ± 21.80 vs. 115.49 ± 16.80, p = 0.009) as compared to non-lymphedema cases. Univariate analysis revealed that multiple surgeries (OR = 5.70, 95% CI: 1.21–26.8, p < 0.001), axillary lymph nodes excision (>10) (OR = 2.83, 95% CI: 0.94–8.11, p = 0.047), being overweight (≥25 kg/m²) (OR = 2.57, 95% CI: 1.04 – 6.38, p = 0.036), received fewer post-surgery rehabilitation treatment (OR = 2.37, 95% CI: 1.05–5.39, p = 0.036) and hypertension (OR = 2.38, 95% CI: 1.01–5.62, p = 0.043) were associated with an increased risk of BCRL. Meanwhile, multivariate analysis showed that multiple surgeries remained significant and elevated the likelihood of BCRL (OR = 5.83, 95% CI: 1.14–29.78, p = 0.034). Arm swelling was more prominent in the forearm area demonstrated by the highest difference of arm circumference measurement when compared to the upper arm (2.07 ± 2.48 vs. 1.34 ± 1.91 cm, p < 0.001). The total of skinfold thickness of the affected forearm was also significantly higher than the unaffected arms (p < 0.05) as evidenced by the ultrasound examination. The continuous search for risk factors in specific populations may facilitate the development of a standardized method to reduce the occurrence of BCRL and provide better management for breast cancer patients.

The Development and Treatment of Lymphatic Dysfunction in Cancer Patients and Survivors

Breast-cancer-acquired lymphedema is routinely diagnosed from the appearance of irreversible swelling that occurs as a result of lymphatic dysfunction. Yet in head and neck cancer survivors, lymphatic dysfunction may not always result in clinically overt swelling, but instead contribute to debilitating functional outcomes. In this review, we describe how cancer metastasis, lymph node dissection, and radiation therapy alter lymphatic function, as visualized by near-infrared fluorescence lymphatic imaging. Using custom gallium arsenide (GaAs)-intensified systems capable of detecting trace amounts of indocyanine green administered repeatedly as lymphatic contrast for longitudinal clinical imaging, we show that lymphatic dysfunction occurs with cancer progression and treatment and is an early, sub-clinical indicator of cancer-acquired lymphedema. We show that early treatment of lymphedema can restore lymphatic function in breast cancer and head and neck cancer patients and survivors. The compilation of these studies provides insights to the critical role that the lymphatics and the immune system play in the etiology of lymphedema and associated co-morbidities.

Risk factors for breast cancer-related lymphedema: correlation with docetaxel administration

BACKGROUND

Upper-limb lymphedema is a well-known complication of breast cancer and its treatment. This retrospective cohort study aims to determine what risk factors affect breast cancer-related lymphedema in patients with breast cancer.

METHODS

This retrospective study comprised patients diagnosed with breast cancer and who underwent surgery at Wakayama Medical University Hospital between January 1, 2012 and December 31, 2018. Assessed factors using univariate and multivariate analyses were patient-related factors (age, gender, and BMI), breast cancer-related factors (tumor size, nodal status, histology, tumor location, and intrinsic subtype), and treatment-related factors (type of surgery, application, timing and regimen of chemotherapy, and application of radiotherapy).

RESULTS

This study included 1041 patients. BMI did not affect the onset of breast cancer-related lymphedema. There were only six sentinel lymph node biopsy cases in the breast cancer-related lymphedema group (6.6%). In cases of axillary lymph node dissection, adjuvant chemotherapy was marginally associated with increased risk of breast cancer-related lymphedema compared to no chemotherapy (HR 2.566; 95% CI 0.955-6.892; p = 0.0616). Among anti-cancer agents, docetaxel (HR 3.790; 95% CI 1.413-10.167; p = 0.0081) and anti-HER2 therapy (HR 2.507; 95% CI 1.083-5.803; p = 0.0318) were associated with increased risk of lymphedema according to multivariate analysis. Neo-adjuvant chemotherapy did not affect the onset of breast cancer-related lymphedema. Radiotherapy (HR 2.525; 95% CI 1.364-4.676; p = 0.0032) was an important risk factor for breast cancer-related lymphedema.

CONCLUSIONS

Axillary lymph node dissection, radiotherapy and adjuvant chemotherapy, especially docetaxel, were risk factors for breast cancer-related lymphedema, but BMI and neo-adjuvant chemotherapy were not.