Brown JC, Chu CS, Cheville AL, Schmitz KH, et al.
American journal of physical medicine & rehabilitation. Date of publication 2013 Mar 1;volume 92(3):223-31.
1. Am J Phys Med Rehabil. 2013 Mar;92(3):223-31. doi: 10.1097/PHM.0b013e31826edd97.
The prevalence of lymphedema symptoms among survivors of long-term cancer with or
at risk for lower limb lymphedema.
Brown JC(1), Chu CS, Cheville AL, Schmitz KH.
Author information:
(1)Department of Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of
Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to identify commonly reported symptoms in
the lower limbs among those with or at risk for developing lower limb lymphedema
(LLL).
DESIGN: The authors surveyed survivors of long-term cancer using the Pennsylvania
State Cancer Registry. They inquired about demographics, cancer treatment
history, knowledge about LLL, and symptoms experienced since completing cancer
treatment. They invited all participants for an in-person clinical assessment to
better identify and characterize the symptoms associated with LLL.
RESULTS: The response rate to the study survey was 57.2%. Among the 107
participants who answered the study survey, 37 (34.5%) reported one or more
symptoms associated with LLL. Many reported a combination of symptoms that
included difficulty walking (n = 37; 100%), aching (n = 32; 86%), puffiness (n =
28; 76%), and pain (n = 27; 73%) on one side of the body since cancer treatment.
The in-person clinical assessment among a subsample of 17 participants revealed
10 participants with no evidence of LLL and 5 and 2 participants with grade 1 and
2 LLL, respectively. The in-person clinical assessment identified three cases of
previously undiagnosed LLL.
CONCLUSIONS: One third of the survivors of cancer surveyed reported experiencing
new symptoms in the lower limbs since cancer treatment. Cases of symptomatic,
undiagnosed LLL may exist in the population.
DOI: 10.1097/PHM.0b013e31826edd97
PMCID: PMC4391393
PMID: 23069748 [Indexed for MEDLINE]
