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Weight loss does not decrease risk of breast cancer–related arm lymphedema
Author(s) -
Roberts Sacha A.,
Gillespie Tessa C.,
Shui Amy M.,
Brunelle Cheryl L.,
Daniell Kayla M.,
Locascio Joseph J.,
Naoum George E.,
Taghian Alphonse G.
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
cancer
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.052
H-Index - 304
eISSN - 1097-0142
pISSN - 0008-543X
DOI - 10.1002/cncr.33819
Subject(s) - medicine , lymphedema , breast cancer , confidence interval , weight loss , hazard ratio , cohort , cohort study , prospective cohort study , surgery , cancer , obesity
Background The goal of this study was to determine the relationship between postoperative weight change and breast cancer–related lymphedema (BCRL). Methods In this cohort study, 1161 women underwent unilateral breast surgery for breast cancer from 2005 to 2020 and were prospectively screened for BCRL. Arm volume measurements were obtained via an optoelectronic perometer preoperatively, postoperatively, and in the follow‐up setting every 6 to 12 months. Mean follow‐up from preoperative baseline was 49.1 months. The main outcome was BCRL, defined as a relative volume change of the ipsilateral arm of ≥10% at least 3 months after surgery. Results A total of 92 patients (7.9%) developed BCRL. Net weight loss versus net weight gain from baseline to last follow‐up was not protective against developing BCRL (hazard ratio, 1.38; 95% confidence interval, 0.89‐2.13; P = .152). Conclusions Although weight loss may be recommended as part of an individualized lifestyle management program for overall health, weight loss alone may not decrease the risk of developing BCRL.