Who Will Continuously Depend on Compression to Control Persistent or Progressive Breast Cancer-Related Lymphedema Despite 2 Years of Conservative Care?

Background: When a patient with breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL) depends on continuous compression management, that is, when interstitial fluid accumulation is continuously ongoing, surgical treatment should be considered. Physiologic surgery is considered more effective for early-stage lymphedema. The purpose of this study was to identify predictors of patients with BCRL who will be compression-dependent despite 2 years of conservative care.
Methods: This study included patients with BCRL who followed up for 2 years. Patients were classified into two groups (compression-dependent vs. compression-free). We identified the proportion of compression-dependent patients and predictors of compression dependence.
Results: Among 208 patients, 125 (60.1%) were classified into the compression-dependent group. Compression dependence was higher in patients with direct radiotherapy to the lymph nodes (LNs), those with five or more LNs resections, and those with BCRL occurring at least 1 year after surgery.
Conclusions: BCRL patients with direct radiotherapy to the LNs, extensive LN dissection, and delayed onset may be compression-dependent despite 2 years of conservative care. Initially moderate to severe BCRL and a history of cellulitis also seem to be strongly associated with compression dependence. Our results allow for the early prediction of compression-dependent patients who should be considered for physiologic surgery.