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Herremans KM, Cribbin MP, Riner AN, Neal DW, Hollen TL, Clevenger P, Munoz D, Blewett S, Giap F, Okunieff PG, Mendenhall NP, Bradley JA, Mendenhall WM, Mailhot-Vega RB, Brooks E, Daily KC, Heldermon CD, Marshall JK, Hanna MW, Leyngold MM, Virk SS, Shaw CM, Spiguel LR. Five-Year Breast Surgeon Experience in LYMPHA at Time of ALND for Treatment of Clinical T1-4N1-3M0 Breast Cancer. Ann Surg Oncol 2021; 28:5775-5787. [PMID: 34365563 DOI: 10.1245/s10434-021-10551-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2021] [Accepted: 07/20/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL) is a source of postoperative morbidity for breast cancer survivors. Lymphatic microsurgical preventive healing approach (LYMPHA) is a technique used to prevent BCRL at the time of axillary lymph node dissection (ALND). We report the 5-year experience of a breast surgeon trained in LYMPHA and investigate the outcomes of patients who underwent LYMPHA following ALND for treatment of cT1-4N1-3M0 breast cancer. METHODS A retrospective review of patients with cT1-4N1-3M0 breast cancer was performed in patients who underwent ALND with and without LYMPHA. Diagnosis of BCRL was made by certified lymphedema therapists. Descriptive statistics and lymphedema surveillance data were analyzed using results of Fisher's exact or Wilcoxon rank-sum tests. Logistic regression and propensity matching were performed to assess the reduction of BCRL occurrence following LYMPHA. RESULTS In a 5-year period, 132 patients met inclusion criteria with 76 patients undergoing LYMPHA at the time of ALND and 56 patients undergoing ALND alone. Patients who underwent LYMPHA at the time of ALND were significantly less likely to develop BCRL than those who underwent ALND alone (p = 0.045). Risk factors associated with BCRL development were increased patient age (p = 0.007), body mass index (BMI) (p = 0.003), and, in patients undergoing LYMPHA, number of positive nodes (p = 0.026). CONCLUSIONS LYMPHA may be successfully employed by breast surgeons trained in lymphatic-venous anastomosis at the time of ALND. While research efforts should continue to focus on prevention and surveillance of BCRL, LYMPHA remains an option to reduce BCRL and improve patient quality of life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelly M Herremans
- Department of Surgery, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Morgan P Cribbin
- Department of Surgery, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Andrea N Riner
- Department of Surgery, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Dan W Neal
- Department of Surgery, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Tracy L Hollen
- Department of Surgery, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Pamela Clevenger
- Department of Surgery, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Derly Munoz
- Department of Physical Therapy, University of Florida College of Public Health and Health Professions, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Shannon Blewett
- Department of Physical Therapy, University of Florida College of Public Health and Health Professions, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Fantine Giap
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Paul G Okunieff
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Nancy P Mendenhall
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Julie A Bradley
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Florida College of Medicine, Jacksonville, FL, USA
| | - William M Mendenhall
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Raymond B Mailhot-Vega
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Florida College of Medicine, Jacksonville, FL, USA
| | - Eric Brooks
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Florida College of Medicine, Jacksonville, FL, USA
| | - Karen C Daily
- Department of Medicine, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Coy D Heldermon
- Department of Medicine, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Julia K Marshall
- Department of Radiology, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Mariam W Hanna
- Department of Radiology, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Mark M Leyngold
- Department of Surgery, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Sarah S Virk
- Department of Surgery, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Christiana M Shaw
- Department of Surgery, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Lisa R Spiguel
- Department of Surgery, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL, USA.
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