Cause and treatment of upper limb lymphedema after mastectomy of breast cancer

Objective:To explore the cause and treatment on upper limb lymphedema after mastectomy of breast cancer. Methods: To analyze 86 cases of upper limb lymphedema in 340 cases who experienced breast cancer mastectomy retrospectively. Results: Upper limb lymphedema was found in 86 of 340 cases,which divided into Halsted mastectomy groups(179) and patgy mastectomy group (161). In Halsted groups ,lymphedema developed in 56 of 179,the rate was 31.28% , Ⅰgrade 28, Ⅱgrade 19, Ⅲ grade 9;121 cases were employed radiotherapy after operation which of 37 with lymphyedema in mastectomy groups,in patgy groups ,lymphyedema developed in 30 of 161,the rate was 18.63%,Ⅰgrade 15, Ⅱgrade 11, Ⅲ grade 4; 59 cases were treated with radiotherapy and 17 developed lymphedema. Conclusion: To the breast cancer patients who experienced mastectomy and with upper limb lymphedema ,the way of operation and radiotherapy are main factor wlich leading to lymphedema,there is no effective therapy on lymphedema.