Breast lymphedema after breast conserving surgery. Prospective surveillance, evaluation and diagnosis.
Breast lymphedema is a common but underrecognized complication following breast-conserving surgery for breast cancer. This article reviews the incidence, risk factors, clinical features, and diagnostic methods for breast lymphedema, highlighting its often-overlooked presence even before radiation therapy. The author emphasizes the value of prospective surveillance and outlines methods for clinical evaluation, including symptom assessment, physical examination, and objective tools such as ultrasound, tissue dielectric constant (TDC) measurement, and indocyanine green (ICG) lymphography. Despite a lack of standardized treatment guidelines, the article reviews multimodal approaches currently in use. The author calls for increased awareness, routine screening, and further research to establish diagnostic criteria and evidence-based management protocols for breast lymphedema.
How to cite: Brunelle, Cheryl. Breast lymphedema after breast conserving surgery. Prospective surveillance, evaluation and diagnosis. Breast lymphedema after breast conserving surgery. Prospective surveillance, evaluation and diagnosis. . Pathways. 2025;14(3): 5-8. DOI: https://doi.org/10.70472/NPCI7277
This article was published in Pathways, the quarterly print and online publication of the Canadian Lymphedema Framework. The most recent 8 issues of Pathways are available to subscribers only. SUBSCRIBE NOW AT THIS LINK TO READ.
