DOI: 10.36347/sjams.2018.v06i02.044

Pages: 696-701

It is known that breast cancer is most common cancer in women of developed countries and is on rise in developing countries. Besides recurrence, one of the major complications is lymphoedema. This study was done on women who presented with lymphoedema after primary surgical treatment of breast cancer. A detail history was recorded with special emphasis on irradiation to axilla, chemotherapy and hormonal therapy. They were specifically asked regarding the mode of onset of lymphoedema. A detailed physical examination was done with special emphasis on diagnosis of lymphoedema. The data were then analyzed based on Exploratory Data Analysis. Out of 1047 patients who underwent surgical intervention, the occurrence of lymphoedema is 6.017% with maximum occurrence in age group 56-65 years (8.3%) with maximumoccurrence of lymphoedema observed in 2nd year after primary surgical treatment. Maximum occurrence of lymphoedema was observed in T2 subgroup (8.15%), N1 subgroup (7.33%), and in MRM subgroup (6.67%). Patients who were irradiated after surgery showed higher occurrence of lymphoedema (13.64%). Maximum occurrence of lymphoedema was seen within 1-2-year post mastectomy (47.62%) and in patient with T2, N1 stage. There was consistent increase in occurrence of lymphoedema with increase in BMI & patient with history of radiation post mastectomy.