Vascular Alterations in Axillary and Brachial Vessels in Patients with Axillary Web Syndrome After Breast Cancer Surgery

Furlan, Cintia; Matheus, Carolina Nascimben; Jales, Rodrigo Menezes; Derchain, Sophie; Sarian, Luís Otávio

doi:10.1089/lrb.2017.0037

Cited by 12 publications

(13 citation statements)

References 29 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…This has been substantiated in some other recent studies2,19,20 but further research is needed to determine the scope and severity of complications associated with AWS. One recent study21 found non-specific vascular changes in the affected arm, the significance of which are currently unknown.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 95%

Axillary web syndrome following breast cancer surgery: symptoms, complications, and management strategies

Koehler¹,

Haddad²,

Hunter³

et al. 2018

BCTT

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Axillary web syndrome (AWS) is a common condition occurring in up to 86% of patients following breast cancer surgery with ipsilateral lymphadenectomy of one or more nodes. AWS presents as a single cord or multiple thin cords in the subcutaneous tissues of the ipsilateral axilla. The cords may extend variable distances “down” the ipsilateral arm and/or chest wall. The cords frequently result in painful shoulder abduction and limited shoulder range of motion. AWS most frequently becomes symptomatic between 2 and 8 weeks postoperatively but can also develop and recur months to years after surgery. Education about and increased awareness of AWS should be promoted for patients and caregivers. Assessments for AWS should be performed on a regular basis following breast cancer surgery especially if there has been associated lymphadenectomy. Physical therapy, which consists of manual therapy, exercise, education, and other rehabilitation modalities to improve range of motion and decrease pain, is recommended in the treatment of AWS.

show abstract

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 95%

Axillary web syndrome following breast cancer surgery: symptoms, complications, and management strategies

Koehler¹,

Haddad²,

Hunter³

et al. 2018

BCTT

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…About 80% of the lesions were on the axilla, and 70% were palpable; the remaining were identified by ultrasonography ( 19 ). The risk factors for AWS include advanced-stage breast cancer, extensive surgery (mastectomy or axillary lymph node dissection) ( 20 ), a young age, a low body mass index, hypertension ( 19 ), an African-American ethnicity, and healing complications ( 21 ). Notably, AWS in men who play squash has also been reported; thus, a history of not only surgical operation but also playing sports may contribute to the diagnosis ( 22 ).…”

Section: Epidemiology and Etiologymentioning

confidence: 99%

Mondor's Disease: A Review of the Literature

2018

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Mondor's disease (MD) is a rare disease that manifests with a palpable cord-like induration on the body surface. In general, MD is a self-limited, benign thrombophlebitis that resolves in four to eight weeks without any specific treatment. Cases of MD can be roughly categorized into three different groups based on the site of the lesion as follows: original MD of the anterolateral thoracoabdominal wall, penile MD with dorsum and dorsolateral aspects of the penis, and axillary web syndrome with mid-upper arm after axillary surgery. The diagnosis of MD is rather straightforward and based on a physical examinations. However, some case occur “secondary” with another underlying disease, including malignancy, a hypercoagulative state, and vasculitis. Therefore, it is critical to identify MD precisely, evaluate any possible underlying disease, and avoid any unnecessary invasive tests or treatment. In this paper, we comprehensively review the clinical characteristics of MD.

show abstract

“…The patients with HTN were 2.72 times more likely to develop AWS than those with no HTN. A prospective study evaluating the correlation between vascular change and AWS [ 21 ] discovered diameter restriction in the brachial artery and increased mean flow velocity of axillary artery in AWS patients, suggesting that AWS accompanies vascular and lymphatic changes. In hypertensive patients, structural, mechanical, or functional changes may reduce the lumen diameter of small arteries and arterioles, increasing blood flow velocity [ 22 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Risk Factor Analysis of Axillary Web Syndrome in Patients After Breast Cancer Surgery: A Single Center Study in Korea

et al. 2021

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Objective To investigate the prevalence and risk factors of axillary web syndrome (AWS) in Korean patients.Methods This retrospective study included a total of 189 women who underwent breast cancer surgery and received physical therapy between September 2019 and August 2020. We analyzed AWS and the correlation between the patients’ demographics, underlying disease, type of surgery and chemotherapy or radiation therapy, and lymphedema.Results The prevalence of AWS was found to be 30.6%. In the univariable analysis, age, chemotherapy, and hypertension were related to AWS. Finally, the multivariable logistic regression revealed that chemotherapy (odds ratio [OR]=2.84; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.46–5.53) and HTN (OR=2.72; 95% CI, 1.18–6.30) were the strongest risk factors of AWS.Conclusion To the best of our knowledge, this was the first study that explored the risk factors of AWS in a Korean population after breast cancer surgery. As almost one-third of patients suffer from AWS after breast cancer surgery, it is essential to closely monitor the development of AWS in patients with hypertension or undergoing chemotherapy.

show abstract

Vascular Alterations in Axillary and Brachial Vessels in Patients with Axillary Web Syndrome After Breast Cancer Surgery

Abstract: Our study confirm the combined changes of lymphatic and vascular systems in woman with AWS, since AWS was associated with more extensive dissection of axillary lymph nodes, compromised lymph nodes, and with abnormalities of the vascular parameters.

Cited by 12 publications

References 29 publications

Axillary web syndrome following breast cancer surgery: symptoms, complications, and management strategies

Axillary web syndrome following breast cancer surgery: symptoms, complications, and management strategies

Mondor's Disease: A Review of the Literature

A Risk Factor Analysis of Axillary Web Syndrome in Patients After Breast Cancer Surgery: A Single Center Study in Korea

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About