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- Title
Axillary Reverse Lymph Node Mapping as a Method of Prevention of the Chronic Swelling of the Arm After Axillary Lymph Node Dissection.
- Authors
Georgescu, R.; Copotoiu, C.; Coroş, M. F.; Sorlea, S.; Crăciun, C.; Frandeş, Daniela; Man, C.
- Abstract
Introduction: The lymphatic oedema of the upper limb, clinically known as the chronic swelling of the arm, due to the axillary lymph node dissection, performed for breast cancer, is one of the most important factors regarding the quality of life of these women. The methods of prevention for this complication consist in sentinel lymph node biopsy, axillary lymph node dissection limited to the Berger I and II lymphatic stations; and also in retrograde axillary lymph node mapping. Material and methods: The paper describes a preliminary study on 40 cases, regarding the efficiency of the retrograde axillary lymph node mapping versus the classic lymph node dissection. Results: The lymphatic oedema, defined through an average increase in the upper limb diameter, on the operated side, is greater than 1 cm in 8 out of 25 cases of classic axillary lymph node dissection; and it was not encountered on patients with ARM. Other factors, which may have an influence on the occurrence of lymph oedema, are: the number of sampled lymph nodes and the association with postoperative axillary radiotherapy. Discussions and conclusions: ARM seems to be an efficient method of early postoperative lymph oedema prevention, in women who underwent axillary lymph node dissection for breast cancer; on the 2 studied patient groups we discovered a significant statistic difference of p = 0.044.
- Subjects
CANCER patients; CANCER in women; BREAST cancer; HOSPITAL radiological services; MEDICAL electronics; CHRONIC diseases; CHRONIC fatigue syndrome
- Publication
Acta Medica Marisiensis, 2010, Vol 56, Issue 4, p361
- ISSN
2068-3324
- Publication type
Article