ObjectiveTo evaluate quality of life (QOL), upper extremity function and the effect of lymphedema treatment in patients with breast cancer related lymphedema.MethodThe basic data comprised medical records (detailing age, sex, dominant side, location of tumor, cancer stage, operation record, cancer treatment and limb circumferences) and questionnaires (lymphedema duration, satisfaction, self-massage). Further to this, we measured upper extremity function and QOL, administered the DASH (Disabilities of Arm Shoulder and Hand outcome measure) and used the EORTC (European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer)-QLQ-C30 and the EORTC-QLQ-Br23. Results of these were calculated as main outcome variables.ResultsThe questionnaire responses and arm circumferences of 59 patients with breast cancer related lymphedema were analyzed. In the DASH questionnaire, it was found that the older the lymphedema patient was, the lower their upper extremity function. On the EORTC-QLQ, patients with metastasis had significantly lower scores in physical functioning and role functioning. In terms of upper extremity circumference, there was a significant upper extremity size reduction after lymphedema treatment.ConclusionThere were several dissociations between some subscales of quality of life questionnaires and those of upper extremity functions. Upper extremity function was correlated with the age of breast cancer patients and QOL was influenced by M-stage. Lymphedema treatment was found to be effective in reducing edema in patients with breast cancer related lymphedema.

Objective: To examine the reliability of ultrasonographic thickness and compressibility along with real-time pressure monitoring to evaluate postmastectomy lymphedema and to suggest a reference range of appropriate pressure. Design: Measurement reliability study. Setting: Research laboratory. Participants: Fifteen patients with prior mastectomy for breast cancer who were diagnosed with secondary lymphedema, and 16 healthy control subjects. Methods: The thickness and compressibility of the subcutaneous layer in the arms of 15 postmastectomy patients with secondary lymphedema were measured using B-mode and M-mode ultrasonography. An ultrasound machine was equipped with a real-time pressure-monitoring device to monitor downward compression pressure on the arms at a constant velocity. The ratio of thickness change defined the compressibility index. Two different experienced examiners participated in the measurement of lymphedema. Intrarater reliability and inter-rater reliability were estimated using the intraclass correlation coefficient. Very good reliability was defined as an ICC of more than 0.8. Main outcome measurements: The thickness of the subcutaneous layer, the compressibility index, and the intrarater and inter-rater reliability were measured.Results: The measured thicknesses demonstrated very good intrarater and inter-rater reliability for the forearm and upper arm. For the compressibility index, the upper arm and forearm had very good intrarater and inter-rater reliability at over 2000 Pa of compression (>0.9). Conclusions: Ultrasonography with real-time pressure monitoring may be useful for evaluating the severity and characteristics of lymphedema, particularly at compression pressures more than 2000 Pa.