Assessment of Breast Cancer-related Arm Lymphedema--comparison of Physical Measurement Methods and Self-report

Overview

Journal Cancer Invest

Specialty Oncology

Date 2009 Nov 18

PMID 19916749

Citations 63

Authors

S A Czerniec

L C Ward

K M Refshauge

J Beith

M J Lee

S York

S L Kilbreath

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Purpose: To determine the relationship between physical methods of measuring lymphedema and self-reported swelling, their reliability, and standard error of measurement.

Method: Lymphedema in each arm of women with (n = 33) and without (n = 18) unilateral arm lymphedema, secondary to breast cancer was measured by self-report, bioimpedance spectroscopy (BIS), perometer, and the truncated cone method.

Results: The physical measurement tools were highly reliable (ICC((2,1)): 0.94 to 1.00) with high concordance (r(c): 0.89 to 0.99). Self-report correlated moderately with physical measurements (r = 0.65 to 0.71) and was moderately reliable (ICC((2,1)): 0.70).

Conclusions: Lymphedema assessment methods are concordant and reliable but not interchangeable.

Citing Articles

Predictors of the Efficacy of Lymphedema Decongestive Therapy.

Dzupina A, Yaluri N, Singh J, Jankajova M Medicina (Kaunas). 2025; 61(2).

PMID: 40005348 PMC: 11857323. DOI: 10.3390/medicina61020231.

The prognostic effect and mechanism of erysipelas in cancer-associated lymphedema.

Li P, Zhao Z, Sun Y, Xia S, Shen W Sci Rep. 2025; 15(1):5518.

PMID: 39953144 PMC: 11828868. DOI: 10.1038/s41598-025-90200-2.

Protective Factors Associated with Normal Lymphatic Function After Axillary Lymph Node Dissection for Breast Cancer Treatment.

Coleman-Belin J, Rubin J, Boe L, Diwan R, Monge J, Dinh D Ann Surg Oncol. 2025; .

PMID: 39899216 DOI: 10.1245/s10434-025-16918-5.

Subacromial Pain Syndrome in Breast Cancer Survivors-Are Structural Shoulder Changes Verified by Ultrasound Clinically Relevant?.

Klaric-Kukuz I, Aljinovic J, Barun B, Roki M, Benzon B, Budimir Mrsic D Diagnostics (Basel). 2025; 15(1.

PMID: 39795598 PMC: 11720180. DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics15010070.

Evaluation of upper limb lymphoedema and diagnostic accuracy of bioimpedance spectroscopy. A comprehensive validation in a Brazilian population.

da Silva Tozzo F, Sarri A, Pirola W, da Silva U, de Oliveira M, Souza C Ecancermedicalscience. 2024; 17:1649.

PMID: 38419858 PMC: 10901233. DOI: 10.3332/ecancer.2023.1649.