Abstract

In the postoperative period lymphoedema occured in 71 (14%) of 509 patients which mastectomy was performed for breast cancer. Diameter difference between the two arms was accepted as an objective finding for lymphoedema. 17 patients who had more than 4 cm difference were in the severe lymphoedema group and 54 patients who had 2-4 cm difference were in the mild lymphoedema group, and these patients were studied about risk factors of postmastectomic lymphoedema.

Systemic chemotherapy and postoperative immobilization of the arm-shoulder had no special effect in the lymphoedema occurence with p>0.05. The extent of axillary dissection is so important in order to prevent the risk of severe lymphoedema caused by axillary radiotherapy. The results of this study support the relationship between radiotherapy of axillary region and the number of metastatic lymph nodes with the lymphoedema (p<0.01).