The Effect of Lymphedema Severity and Type of Surgery on the Quality of Life in Patients with Breast Cancer-Related Upper Extremity Lymphedema

Year 2019, Volume: 6 Issue: 3, 454 - 460, 01.10.2019

Alis Kostanoğlu

Abstract

DOI: 10.5152/hsp.2019.500029

Objective: The aim of the present study was
to investigate the effects of the severity of lymphedema and the type of
surgery on the quality of life in patients with upper extremity lymphedema.

Materials and methods: A total of 121
patients diagnosed with breast cancer-related lymphedema between age 18 and 65
years were included in the study. Lymphedema Functioning Disability and Health
Questionnaire were used to evaluate the quality of life.

Results: The mean age of the patients was
54±6.12 years, and mean body mass index was 30.47±4.09 kg/m2. It was determined
that 24.2% (n=22) of the participants had mild, and 75.8% (n=69) had moderate
lymphedema. When the patients were divided into two groups according to the
degree of lymphedema, and when the subparameters of the quality of life scale
were compared, a statistically significant difference was found in the scores
of physical function, housework, and mobility activities in the group with
moderate lymphedema, but all subscores were affected (p<0.05). There was no
statistically significant difference between the quality of life scores of
those who had undergone modified radical mastectomy or protective breast
surgery (p>0.05).

Conclusion: Lymphedema in patients
undergoing modified radical mastectomy or preventive breast surgery for breast
cancer may cause a reduction in all subscales of the quality of life. Patients
with moderate lymphedema are more affected by physical functions, housework,
and mobility activities than patients with mild lymphedema. 

Cite this article as: Kostanoğlu A. The
Effect of Lymphedema Severity and Type of Surgery on the Quality of Life in
Patients with Breast Cancer-Related Upper Extremity Lymphedema. Journal of
Health Science and Profession 2019; 6(3): 454-60.

Keywords

Breast cancer, lymphedema, quality of life

Meme Kanseri ile İlişkili Üst Ekstremite Lenfödemi Olan Hastalarda Lenfödemin Şiddetinin ve Cerrahinin Tipinin Yaşam Kalitesine Etkisi

Abstract

DOI: 10.5152/hsp.2019.500029

Amaç: Bu çalışmanın amacı üst ekstremite
lenfödemi olan hastalarda lenfödemin şiddetinin ve cerrahinin tipinin yaşam
kalitesine olan etkilerini incelemektir.

Gereç ve Yöntem: 18-65 yaş arasındaki meme
kanseri ile ilişkili lenfödem tanısı alan 121 hasta dahil edildi. Yaşam
kalitesini değerlendirmek için Lenfödem Fonksiyonu, Özürlülük ve Sağlık Anketi
(Lymph-ICF) kulllanıldı.

Bulgular: Çalışmaya dahil edilen hastaların
yaşları ortalama 54±6,12 yıl, vücut kütle indeksi ortalama 30,47±4,09 kg/m2
idi. Katılımcıların %24,2’sinde (n=22) hafif derecede, %75,8’inde (n=69) orta
derecede lenfödem olduğu belirlendi. Hastalar lenfödem derecesine göre iki
gruba ayrılarak yaşam kalitesi ölçeğinin alt parametreleri
karşılaştırıldığında, tüm alt skorların etkilendiği ancak orta derecede
lenfödemi olan grubun fiziksel fonksiyon, ev işleri ve mobilite aktiviteleri
skorlarında istatistiksel olarak anlamlı fark tespit edildi (p<0,05).
Geçirilen cerrahi tipine göre gruplandırıldığında ise modifiye radikal
mastektomi veya koruyucu meme cerrahisi geçirenlerin yaşam kalitesi skorları
arasında istatistiksel olarak anlamlı fark görülmedi (p>0,05).

Sonuç: Meme kanseri nedeniyle modifiye
radikal mastektomi veya koruyucu meme cerrahisi geçiren hastalarda gelişen
lenfödem yaşam kalitesinin tüm alt skorlarında azalmaya neden olabilir. Orta
dereceli lenfödemi olan hastaların fiziksel fonksiyonları, ev işleri ve
mobilite aktiviteleri hafif dereceli lenfödemi olan hastalardan daha fazla
etkilenir.

Cite this article as: Kostanoğlu A. The
Effect of Lymphedema Severity and Type of Surgery on the Quality of Life in
Patients with Breast Cancer-Related Upper Extremity Lymphedema. Journal of
Health Science and Profession 2019; 6(3): 454-60.

Keywords

Meme kanseri, lenfödem, yaşam kalitesi

References

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• 3. Korpan MI, Crevenna R, Fialka-Moser V. Lymphedema A Therapeutic Approach in the treatment and rehabilitation of cancer patients. Am J Phys Med Rehabil 2011;90(5)69-75.