Breast Cancer–Related Lymphedema in Elderly Patients

Abstract

Treatment of breast cancer has improved dramatically over the last 2 decades. Although these treatment options have significantly increased the 5-year survival rates, they are not without lasting adverse effects. As survival continues to improve for older women, the development of most feared long-term complication, breast cancer–related lymphedema (BCRL), will increase and can be more severe with increased age-related comorbidities. Since currently no definitive cure for BCRL exists, prevention by limiting and/or eliminating risk factors is of prime importance. Preventive exercise and education are recommended to reduce the incidence of BCRL and to enhance quality of life. There are new studies that mention mapping the axillary lymphatics before/during surgery to reduce the incidence of BCRL, as a mean to avoid extensive lymph node dissection; however its not definitely clarified. New surgical approaches such as microsurgical lymphaticovenous anastomosis are promising. In this article, we review the literature and discuss BCRL incidence, diagnosis, and treatment considering elderly patients.