Hidden costs in breast cancer-related lymphedema

Abstract

Breast cancer is the most common neoplastic process in women, with an incidence of 2,088,849 cases in 2018, and an overall 5-year survival of 90% and a 10-year survival of 83%.1 Lymphedema secondary to breast cancer treatment can be an extremely serious and functionally limiting complication.2 With five times more risk of hospital admission for continuous infections (lymphangitis or cellulitis) than patients without this condition3 and where the effect on the quality of life4 and professional careers5 of women is clearly altered. Evidence from a meta-analysis estimates that breast cancer-related lymphedema has an annual incidence of 21% in patients with axillary clearance, affecting up to 295,320 women/year, with 140 to 250 million prevalent cases.