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01-08-2018 | Original Article

Axillary web syndrome assessment using a self-assessment questionnaire: a prospective cohort study

Authors: F. Baggi, Luiz Felipe Nevola Teixeira, S. Gandini, M. C. Simoncini, E. Bonacossa, F. Sandrin, M. Sciotto Marotta, G. Lanni, P. Dadda, D. Colpani, A. Luini

Published in: Supportive Care in Cancer | Issue 8/2018

Abstract

Background

Surgical procedure for breast cancer is not without its side effects and one such side effect is axillary web syndrome (AWS), characterized by palpable fibrotic-like cords in the operated arm. As physical evaluation is the only gold standard method used, our study aims to assess the incidence and early detection of AWS with a self-assessment questionnaire.

Methods

From July 2013 to July 2014, 370 breast cancer patients were enrolled. AWS incidence was 51.1%, with 94.1% onset in the first 4 weeks after surgery; 43.5% of the patients did not recover in the first 8 weeks. Univariate analysis showed that BMI (P < 0.001), age (P < 0.001), educational level (P = 0.01), and exercise frequency in the eighth week of follow-up (P < 0.001) were significantly associated with the AWS detection, and multivariate analyses confirmed that younger patients (age < 50) have significantly higher AWS detection (OR = 2.38 (95%CI 1.53, 3.71) and that BMI is associated with AWS, with normal weight patients (BMI ≤ 25) having a significantly greater AWS detection with an odds ratio of 2.11 (95%CI 1.33, 3.36).

Conclusion

Our findings indicated that the incidence of AWS is high in breast cancer patients, particularly in the first month after surgery. Not all patients achieved recovery during our 8 week follow-up, suggesting that evaluation and treatment should be longer. Double AWS detection was found for patients who were younger (age < 50) and with normal weight.

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Title: Axillary web syndrome assessment using a self-assessment questionnaire: a prospective cohort study
Authors: F. Baggi
Luiz Felipe Nevola Teixeira
S. Gandini
M. C. Simoncini
E. Bonacossa
F. Sandrin
M. Sciotto Marotta
G. Lanni
P. Dadda
D. Colpani
A. Luini
Publication date: 01-08-2018
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in: Supportive Care in Cancer / Issue 8/2018
Print ISSN: 0941-4355
Electronic ISSN: 1433-7339
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-018-4123-3

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