Publication
Title
Breast edema in breast cancer patients following breast-conserving surgery and radiotherapy : a systematic review
Author
Abstract
Breast-conserving surgery (BCS) is commonly used in breast cancer treatment. Despite its benefits, some women will be troubled by breast edema. Breast edema may cause an unsatisfactory cosmetic result, influencing the quality of life. The purpose of this systematic review is to investigate the incidence of breast edema and to identify risk factors of breast edema in breast cancer patients following BCS and radiotherapy. A systematic literature search was performed using different electronic databases (PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane, Embase) until June 2014. Inclusion criteria were as follows: (1) research studies that included female breast cancer patients who were treated with BCS and radiotherapy and (2) studies that investigated the incidence of breast edema and/or risk factors of breast edema. Exclusion criteria were (1) reviews or case studies and (2) studies published before 1995. We identified in total 28 papers which represented 4,011 patients. There was a great variation in the incidence of breast edema (090.4 %). We identified several possible risk factors for breast edema namely increasing irradiated breast volume, increasing boost volume, the use of a photon boost, increasing breast separation, a higher density of the breast tissue, a large tumor, a higher specimen weight, postoperative infection, acute postoperative toxicity, and diabetes mellitus. However, their prognostic value remains uncertain. Breast edema is a common complaint after BCS and radiotherapy. A number of possible risk factors associated with breast edema were identified, but further research is warranted.
Language
English
Source (journal)
Breast cancer research and treatment. - Dordrecht, 1981, currens
Publication
Dordrecht : 2014
ISSN
0167-6806 [print]
1573-7217 [online]
DOI
10.1007/S10549-014-3110-8
Volume/pages
147 :3 (2014) , p. 463-471
ISI
000342436200001
Pubmed ID
25164973
Full text (Publisher's DOI)
Full text (publisher's version - intranet only)
UAntwerpen
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Research group
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Publication type
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Affiliation
Publications with a UAntwerp address
External links
Web of Science
Record
Identifier
Creation 09.09.2014
Last edited 09.10.2023
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