BREAST CANCER-RELATED LYMPHEDEMA: RISK FACTORS, DIAGNOSIS, MANAGEMENT, PREVENTION

Breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL) is a negative outcome of breast cancer or its treatment, which affects 1 of every 5 patients. Disruption of the lymph flow results in its accumulation in the tissues with resulting edema. Diagnosis is based on the presence of symptoms such as progressive upper extremity swelling, limb pain and discomfort, skin changes, restricted range of motion, and the measurement of the extremity girth. First-line treatment is nonivasive, which includes compressions or physiotherapy. Prevention strategy focuses on compres­sion therapy or exercises, however, limiting the extent of lymph node removal is the only measure shown to reduce the incidence of BCRL.