Axillary reverse lymphatic mapping reduces patient perceived incidence of lymphedema after axillary dissection in breast cancer.

BACKGROUND

Lymphedema is a feared complication of many patients following axillary lymph node dissection for breast cancer. Axillary reverse lymphatic mapping (ARM) was adopted to decrease the incidence of lymphedema.

METHODS

A retrospective review was conducted on 139 patients with breast cancer who had greater than 10 lymph nodes removed. A survey was sent to patients to identify those with lymphedema.

RESULTS

One hundred nine women were contacted via mail survey to determine the presence of lymphedema. Of the 46 surveys returned, the incidence of lymphedema was 39%. Twenty-seven percent of the ARM group identified themselves as having lymphedema compared with 50% in non-ARM group. Eighteen percent of women in the ARM group needed an arm sleeve for treatment compared with 45.8% in the non-ARM group.

CONCLUSIONS

The incidence of perceived lymphedema and the need for arm compression sleeve devices were lower in the ARM cohort. ARM should be adopted to decrease patient perception of lymphedema.