Skip to main content
Key Specialties
Cardiology Diabetology Endocrinology Gastroenterology Geriatrics and Gerontology Gynecology and Obstetrics Hematology Infectious Disease Internal Medicine Nephrology Neurology Oncology Pediatrics Respiratory Medicine Rheumatology Surgery
Congress Coverage
2024 ACC Congress 2023 ESMO Congress 2023 EASD Congress 2023 ERS Congress 2023 ESC Congress
Clinical Collections
Advances in Alzheimer’s

At a glance: The STEP trials

A round-up of the STEP phase 3 clinical trials evaluating semaglutide for weight loss in people with overweight or obesity.
ADVANCED SEARCH
Log in
Top
BMC Cancer
Published in: BMC Cancer 1/2009

Open Access 01-12-2009 | Research article

Risk factors for lower limb lymphedema after lymph node dissection in patients with ovarian and uterine carcinoma

Authors: Harue Tada, Satoshi Teramukai, Masanori Fukushima, Hiroshi Sasaki

Published in: BMC Cancer | Issue 1/2009

Login to get access

Abstract

Background

Lymph node dissection has proven prognostic benefits for patients with ovarian or uterine carcinoma; however, one of the complications associated with this procedure is lymphedema. We aimed to identify the factors that are associated with the occurrence of lymphedema after lymph node dissection for the treatment of ovarian or uterine carcinoma.

Methods

A total of 694 patients with histologically confirmed ovarian (135 patients) or uterine cancer (258 with cervical cancer, 301 with endometrial cancer) who underwent lymph node dissection were studied retrospectively. Logistic regression analyses were used to identify the risk factors associated with occurrence of lymphedema.

Results

Among ovarian and uterine cancer patients who underwent pelvic lymph node dissection, post-operative radiotherapy (odds ratio: 1.79; 95% confidence interval: 1.20–2.67; p = 0.006) was statistically significantly associated with occurrence of lymphedema.

Conclusion

There was no relationship between any surgical procedure and occurrence of lymphedema among patients undergoing pelvic lymphadenectomy. Our findings are supported by a sound biological rationale because they suggest that limb lymphedema is caused by pelvic lymph node dissection.
Literature
1.
Dept. Minister's Secretariat: Vital Statistics of Japan, Statistics and Information. Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare. 2003
2.
Jemal A, Murray T, Ward E, Samuels A, Tiwari RC, Ghafoor A, Feuer EJ, Thun MJ: Cancer statistics, 2005. CA Cancer J Clin. 2005, 55: 10-30. 10.3322/canjclin.55.1.10.CrossRefPubMed
3.
Soisson AP, Soper JT, Clarke-Pearson DL, Berchuck A, Montana G, Creasman WT: Adjuvant radiotherapy following radical hysterectomy for patients with stage IB and IIA cervical cancer. Gynecol Oncol. 1990, 37: 390-395. 10.1016/0090-8258(90)90374-T.CrossRefPubMed
4.
MacKay HT: Gynecology. New York Current Medical Diagnosis and Treatment. Edited by: Tierney LM Jr, McPhee ST, Papadakis MA. 2004, McGraw Hill, New York, 701-702.
5.
Newman ML, Brennan M, Passik S: Lymphedema complicated by pain and psychological distress: a case with complex treatment needs. J Pain Symptom Manage. 1996, 12: 376-379. 10.1016/S0885-3924(96)00187-X.CrossRefPubMed
6.
7.
Carter BJ: Women's experiences of lymphedema. Oncol Nurs Forum. 1997, 24: 875-882.PubMed
8.
Logmans A, Kruyt RH, de Bruin HG, Cox PH, Pillay M, Trimbos JB: Lymphedema and lymphocysts following lymphadenectomy may be prevented by omentoplasty: A pilot study. Gynecol Oncol. 1999, 75: 323-327. 10.1006/gyno.1999.5624.CrossRefPubMed
9.
Ilancheran A, Monaghan JM: Pelvic lymphocyst; a 10-year experience. Gynecol Oncol. 1988, 29: 333-336. 10.1016/0090-8258(88)90232-6.CrossRefPubMed
10.
Smith JW, Conway H: Selection of appropriate surgical procedures lymphedema. Introduction of the hinged pedicle. Plast Reconstr Surg Transplant Bull. 1962, 30: 10-31.CrossRefPubMed
11.
Abu-Rustum NR, Alektiar K, Iasonos A, Lev G, Sonoda Y, Aghajanian C, Chi DS, Barakat RR: The incidence of symptomatic lower-extremity lymphedema following treatment of uterine corpus malignancies: a 12-year experience at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. Gynecol Oncol. 2006, 103: 714-718. 10.1016/j.ygyno.2006.03.055.CrossRefPubMed
12.
Brennan MJ: Lymphedema following the surgical treatment of breast cancer: a review of pathophysiology and treatment. J Pain Symptom Manage. 1992, 7: 110-116. 10.1016/0885-3924(92)90122-X.CrossRefPubMed
13.
Mortimer PS: The pathophysiology of lymphedema. Cancer. 1998, 83: 2798-2802. 10.1002/(SICI)1097-0142(19981215)83:12B+<2798::AID-CNCR28>3.0.CO;2-E.CrossRefPubMed
14.
Ryan M, Stainton MC, Slaytor EK, Jaconelli C, Watts S, Mackenzie P: Aetiology and prevalence of lower limb lymphoedema following treatment for gynecological cancer. Aust N Z J Obstet Gynaecol. 2003, 43: 148-151. 10.1046/j.0004-8666.2003.00040.x.CrossRefPubMed
15.
Kragt H, Bouma J, Aalders JG: Anticoagulants and the formation of lymphocysts after pelvic lymphadenectomy in gynecologic and oncologic operations. Surg Gynecol Obstet. 1986, 162: 361-364.PubMed
16.
Werngren-Elgstrom M, Lidman D: Lymphoedema of the lower extremities after surgery and radiotherapy for cancer of the cervix. Scand J Plast Reconstr Hand Surg. 1994, 28: 289-293. 10.3109/02844319409022014.CrossRef
17.
Chatani M, Nose T, Masaki N, Inoue T: Adjuvant radiotherapy after radical hysterectomy of the cervical cancer: Prognostic factors and complications. Strahlenther Onkol. 1998, 174: 504-509.CrossRefPubMed
18.
Passik SD, McFonald MV: Psychosocial aspects of upper extremity lymphedema in women treated for breast carcinoma. Cancer. 1998, 83: 2817-2820. 10.1002/(SICI)1097-0142(19981215)83:12B+<2817::AID-CNCR32>3.0.CO;2-2.CrossRefPubMed
19.
Meek AG: Breast radiotherapy and lymphedema. Cancer. 1998, 83: 2788-2797. 10.1002/(SICI)1097-0142(19981215)83:12B+<2788::AID-CNCR27>3.0.CO;2-I.CrossRefPubMed
Metadata
Title
Risk factors for lower limb lymphedema after lymph node dissection in patients with ovarian and uterine carcinoma
Authors
Harue Tada
Satoshi Teramukai
Masanori Fukushima
Hiroshi Sasaki
Publication date
01-12-2009
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Cancer / Issue 1/2009
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2407
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2407-9-47

Other articles of this Issue 1/2009

BMC Cancer 1/2009 Go to the issue

Research article

Early termination of ISRCTN45828668, a phase 1/2 prospective, randomized study of Sulfasalazine for the treatment of progressing malignant gliomas in adults

Research article

Androgen deprivation modulates the inflammatory response induced by irradiation

Research article

Immunostaining with D2–40 improves evaluation of lymphovascular invasion, but may not predict sentinel lymph node status in early breast cancer

Research article

Increased PADI4 expression in blood and tissues of patients with malignant tumors

Research article

The influence of P-glycoprotein expression and its inhibitors on the distribution of doxorubicin in breast tumors

Research article

Establishment of canine hemangiosarcoma xenograft models expressing endothelial growth factors, their receptors, and angiogenesis-associated homeobox genes
Webinar | 19-02-2024 | 17:30 (CET)

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on antibody–drug conjugates in cancer

Watch now

Antibody–drug conjugates (ADCs) are novel agents that have shown promise across multiple tumor types. Explore the current landscape of ADCs in breast and lung cancer with our experts, and gain insights into the mechanism of action, key clinical trials data, existing challenges, and future directions.

Dr. Véronique Diéras
Prof. Fabrice Barlesi
Developed by: Springer Medicine
Image Credits