Table 2.
Risk Factors for Breast Cancer-Related Lymphedema.a
| Patient | BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2 at diagnosis | ALND (no. positive / no. removed) | Regional lymph node radiation | Edema ≥ 3% within 3 months of surgery | Edema ≥ 5% at any time | Total risk factors |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 23.6 | Yes (0/10) | No | No | Yes | 2 |
| 2 | 25.7 | Yes (9/9) | Yes | No | Yes | 3 |
| 3 | 21.2 | Yes (0/20) | Yes | Yes | Yes | 4 |
| 4 | 22.3 | Yes (0/16) | Yes | No | Yes | 3 |
| 5 | 30 | Yes (1/13) | Yes | Yes | Yes | 5 |
| 6 | 39 | Yes (8/25) | Yes | Yes | Yes | 5 |
| 7 | 21 | No | No | No | No | 0b |
| 8 | 20.7 | Yes (1/13) | Yes | No | No | 2 |
| 9 | 18.2 | Yes (2/15) | Yes | No data | No data | 2 |
| TOTAL | 2/9 | 8/9 | 7/9 | 3/8 | 6/8 | Mean 2.9 |
aBMI = body mass index, ALND = axillary lymph node dissection.
bPatient 7 underwent SLNB, which carries a small risk of lymphedema.12